• Module Coordinator: Dr Ilke Van Beveren
• Language: English
• ECTS credits: 6

Course objectives

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the economic aspects of European integration.

The course is organized into five parts:

1. Essential background: historical and political facts and institutional organization of the EU. This part provides an overview of other aspects of European integration, which are necessary to understand the principles of economic integration.
2. Microeconomic aspects of EU integration: introduction to microeconomic principles underlying EU integration (trade policy analysis, preferential trade liberalization, growth effects, integration of factor markets). Microeconomic analysis is used to provide insights into the consequences of EU integration.
3. Microeconomic policies of the EU: discussion of the important policy areas in which the EU is active: Common Agricultural Policy, Competition Policy etc. We focus on the economic principles underlying these policies.
4. Macroeconomic and monetary integration: introduction to macroeconomic and monetary principles underlying EU integration (choice of exchange rate regime, monetary and fiscal policy, etc.).
5. Macroeconomic policies of the EU: European Monetary Union, fiscal policy and financial markets.

Entry requirements

An introductory course on microeconomic and macroeconomic theory.

Teaching method

Lectures and exercise sessions. The exercise sessions require active participation of students in class. Students are required to prepare exercises and assignments at home.

Assessment

Written exam: 80%

Course work: 20% (exercises, assignments, participation in class)

Course material

Book:

Baldwin, Richard and Charles Wyplosz (latest edition)

"The Economics of European Integration"

London, McGraw-Hill Higher Education

Additional course material will be provided on Toledo (electronic learning environment).