European Integration: History & Society

This course seeks to guide students through the historical development of the European Union since the beginnings of cooperation in 1945. Looking at the interplay between global dynamics, intergovernmental politics, and social forces, students will reflect upon a process that emerged out of multiple, and even contradictory, tendencies, from the agency of political elites to the pressure of productive sectors and grassroots energies. The overall goal of the course is to provide students with a dense historical background to join current debates about the present and the future of the European Union with a critical stance and an informed position. The course draws on scholarly works and primary sources. It alternates lectures with in-class presentations and discussions.