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Full Description

Thematic structure:
Recent enlargements of the EU (2004, 2007) have shifted the centre of gravity of the Union eastwards and southwards, and the Union has gained new neighbors. Similarly importantly, enlargements have induced changes in the policy agenda within the complex organization of the EU. Convergence processes have unfolded among the older and the new member states of the European Union (see the use of the Euro, for example), but wide differences still remain in many important respects.

There seems to be less appetite for any further enlargement among the present member states, yet there is a waiting list for accession (Turkey, Croatia and other entities in the Balkans). Other states aspire to gain a preferred status vis-à-vis the EU.
The new political geography has a bearing on the EU–US as well as on EU–Russia relationship; the latter including the sensitive issues of the enlargement of the NATO and of the energy supply.

The participants of the course are introduced to the underlying economic, social and political tendencies within the enlarged EU. Financial, institutional, political, security consequences of the enlargements will be discussed, with particular emphasis given to monetary union (Euro-zone), mobility of the labor force, energy dependence, and foreign capital flows.

The students are expected to review and elaborate one selected aspect of the enlargement process and present a case to the class. Final grades are determined at a written exam.

The course in taught by Professor Peter Akos Bod (Budapest Corvinus University), former governor of the Hungarian central bank, a former minister of industry of Hungary.

Required readings include relevant policy documents published by EU, EBRD, OECD and selected research papers, book chapters and articles.

Methods:
Given the diversity of the topics, the course includes a series of introductory lectures, reading assignments, class discussion of the material read, panel discussions as well as individual presentations to the class, and a concluding session. Students are supposed to read hand-outs as the classes go.

Assessment:
Grades are earned in a written exam at the end of the course.

This course is taught in weeks 1 and 2 of the program.