Scuola Universitaria Interdipartimentale in Scienze Strategiche (SUISS)

B. Sviluppare quelle capacità che aiutino lo studente a:

• comprendere il significato storico dell'unificazione europea, cioè il conseguimento della pace, il rafforzamento della democrazia, lo sviluppo economico nel continente,
• capire i meccanismi sovrannazionali e intergovernativi che hanno caratterizzato la storia dell'integrazione,
• orientarsi nella complessità delle relazioni tra gli Stati membri e tra l'Unione Europea e il resto del mondo.

A. To enable students to reach a good knowledge of:

• basic reasons for the uniting of Europe,
• different approaches to the unification of Europe,
• the history of European unification from the end of World War II.

B. To develop abilities that enable students:

• to understand the historical significance of European integration (peace, democracy, economic development),
• to understand the supranational and intergovernmental mechanisms which govern the process of unification,
• to comprehend the complexity of Member States relationships and of the role of the European Union in international relations.

By the end of the course, students will be able to demonstrate:

• a good knowledge of the topics covered during the classes,
• to employ appropriate instruments to understand the process of European integration,

to critically assess the development and the contradictions of European integration

The attendance, although not compulsory, is strongly recommended.

Teaching is based on lectures.

The assessment takes into account the knowledge and comprehension acquired by students during the classes as well as their ability in critical analysis, to express themselves coherently and eloquently. The exam is based on two written essays. Students who do not pass the written tests, must pass an oral exam.

History of European integration

Basic reasons for the uniting of Europe: idea of Europe and crisis of Nation State

Different approaches: federalism, confederalism, functionalism

The pioneering phase (1945-1949)

• the bipolar system and the Cold War, the Truman doctrine, the Marshall plan
• the first steps: economic (OEEC), political (Council of Europe), military (Brussels treaty and NATO), scientific cooperation

The birth of the community of Europe (1950-1957)

• the Schuman declaration and the ECSC
• the EDC
• the treaties of Rome

The common market (1958-1968)

• free trade and customs union
• de Gaulle, the Fouchet plans, the empty chair policy, the Luxembourg compromise, the United Kingdom's first application

Crisis and revival of the EEC (1969-1979)

• the Hague summit
• Paris summits
• European economic and monetary union (EMS and ECU)
• European Parliament elections by direct universal suffrage

From the European Community to the EU (1980-1992)

• new enlargements
• the Single European Act
• the treaty on the EU

From the treaty of Amsterdam to Lisbon (1993-2009)

• the fourth enlargement
• the treaty of Amsterdam
• the charter of fundamental rights
• the treaty of Nice
• the fifth enlargements
• the treaty of Lisbon

Umberto Morelli, Storia dell'integrazione europea, Milano, Guerini, 2011

Students enrolled in the political-organizational area must attend a practical course, 1 credit; they must read and expound documents on European integration.