European Economy

Objectives

The course introduces Master students to the basics of European institutions and economic policies, including the major theoretical underpinnings allowing us to understand and critically assess their objectives and functioning. We start from an introductory overview of the idea and history of Europe as it instills and conditions current European policy, proceed to analyze European policies in the field of trade integration, monetary union, and fiscal policy and federalism, and conclude with a discussion of the current economic and institutional crisis and the future of the European Union.

General characterization

Code

2182

Credits

3.5

Responsible teacher

José Tavares

Hours

Weekly - Available soon

Total - Available soon

Teaching language

English

Prerequisites

Available soon

Bibliography

Alberto Alesina and Francesco Giavazzi (2008), The Future of Europe: Reform or Decline, MIT Press.

Richard Baldwin and Charles Wyplosz (2015), The Economics of European Integration, McGraw-Hill.

Paul De Grawe (2014), Economics of Monetary Union, Oxford University Press.

Resources

Class: PowerPoint slides.

Additional: Videos, papers, readings, and other materials provided by the professor.

Teaching method

Lectures based on presentation and discussion of broad array of topics, organized into context, policy issues, and theoretical underpinnings. Class participation is encouraged and its quality assessed. Students will organize into groups to analyze and present their critical view on a policy area of the European Union. Previous reading of materials is highly advised.

Evaluation method

Final grade is based on a final exam, the group presentation, and class participation, making use of the following weights:

-    Mandatory final exam, 45 %
-    Group presentation, 45 %
-    Class participation, 10 %

Each student is expected to join a group of three students and produce a oral presentation of an empirical exploration of a topic of relevance to Europe or addressing issues pertaining to the functioning of the European Union.

Subject matter

Europe: History and Idea, Geography and Economy European Union: Institutions and Decision-Making

Policy: Real Integration Policy: Monetary Union
Policy: Fiscal Policy and Federalism

Topic: Governance Topic: Fiscal Policy Topic: Federalism
Topic: Currency Union and Monetary Policy Topic: Growth and Competition
Topic: Preferences and Populism

The Future of the European Union
Group Exercise: Presentation

    Programs

    Programs where the course is taught: