December 12, 2013
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ASIA
EUROPEAN STUDIES DEPARTMENT
Academic Year 2013-2014- Fall Semester
ES 130 – Modern Europe
Course ID: 2903
Course Schedule: Mon. 09.25-10.40 (R310) & Wed. 09.25-10.40 (R310)
Instructor: Görkem Atsungur
Office: #214 – European Studies Department.
Office Hours: Monday: 14:00-17:00
E-mail: atsungur_g@auca.kg
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
* Required European Studies Departmental Course for Freshmen
Number of Credits: 6cr.
Course Description:
This first year course, leading to major in European Studies, introduces students to the understanding of the European Studies in multidisciplinary perspectives. The course will be divided into two main parts: Diversity and Unity. In the first Diversity part: Students will learn about the concept(s) of Europe; basic characteristics of the continent, demography, languages; religious and national differences; economic and political situations. In the second part; student will gain basic information about the European Union with specific reference to the historical developments; institutions, globalisation, being international actor in the world politics. Finally at the end of the course, there will be specific section for current debates and issues in Europe.
Course Aim and Objectives:
The objective of this course is to provide students with a general understanding of the Europe and European Studies as a discipline. Therefore, the course seeks to show changes in the understanding of ‘’Europe’’ as a geographical, political and cultural entity.
By the end of the semester, student should gain a definition of Europe and European state system; be familiar with the major disciplines involved with European Studies and be able to define various disciplinary methods; understand the major topics and issues of European Studies; develop some ideas about how to orient students’ subsequent studies within the ES department; develop the habit of reading in European Studies and to cross-check perspectives from European member states and learn how to use resources from the course for further education in the department.
II. COURSE RULES & POLICIES
A. Teaching Methods:
The course objectives will be achieved through combination of lectures and seminars. Generally, the first meeting in a week (Monday) will be devoted presentation by the instructor. In the second meeting in a week (Wednesday), after the lecture part, Students will make their short presentations and they will actively part of discussions. Instructor will also use some audiovisual materials for some chapters.
Moreover, there will be some possible visits of European Organizations such as DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), German and French Embassies in Kyrgyzstan, Alliance Francaise, Organization Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), OSCE Academy, etc... Students should attend these visits.
B. Reading Materials:
Instructor prepares required materials for students. Necessary course materials, including the course Syllabus, can be found on the course website:
https://e-course.auca.kg/course/view.php?id=1072
Students must also check e-course materials at least twice each week. There have been many reading materials in the e-course system. The password for the e-course is esfall2013
Each student has to read required readings which are indicated for each section before the class and students should come ready to present, argue and discuss them. All reading materials, including preparing portfolio and presentation are the main responsibility of the student in order to pass this course.
C. Special Needs:
Students with special needs may require special arrangements relating to attending class sessions, carrying out preparing portfolio or taking examinations. They are strongly encouraged to inform the instructor during the first week of classes.
D. Classroom Rules of Conduct:
Please respect university discipline rules and turn off cell phones during class. Students should keep quiet and not be late for the class. You cannot use social networks such as Facebook, VK, and Twitter etc. during the class. If the professor will realize these kind of students, he has right to ask these students to leave the classroom. Food and beverages are not permitted in the classroom. During the exams, the use of cell phones, pagers, PDAs, or any other electronic devices is strictly prohibited. Unmoral/Rude behaviours to other students, staffs and/or the instructor will not be tolerated.
E. Academic Honesty and Discipline:
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated at AUCA. All assignments, homeworks, and exams must be done by on your own. If the student is found to engage in cheating, plagiarism, inventing false information or citations, helping someone else or any other violation of the ‘’Code of Academic Integrity’’ should expect the severest penalties available under AUCA policies. S/he will get ‘’F’’ grade.
- According to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary; Plagiarize means: to steal and pass of (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own, to use (another’s production) without crediting the source, to commit literary theft and to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source. As a result of these, Plagiarism is an act of fraud.
Students found guilty of academic dishonesty will be assigned an appropriate academic penalty.
For more information, please visit: http://www.auca.kg/en/registrar_code_conduct/
If you have any concerns about how to write an academic article, feel free to consult me at any time whether during the office hours. Moreover, there will be arranged presentation about ‘’Academic Honesty in Kyrgyzstan’’ by the experts.
III. COURSE ASSESSMENT & REQUIREMENTS
The nature of the subject requires active class participation therefore the students will not be receiving credits based purely on class attendance. In order to participate in class discussions effectively, each student is expected to have read all assigned readings listed in the schedule. All students should NOT hesitate to participate when they want to expand the topic or they need further explanation, etc.
Moreover, during the semester students are required to engage in an online participation through the e-course system. There will be some short homework in the e-course. As a result of this, it is highly recommended to check e-course each week.
Any student who misses more than 5 classes, s/he will fail the course and will get “F” grade.
Moreover, there will be Stimulate game (“The EU Conflict Management in Transnistria Conflict) all students must attend this game; otherwise they will take 0 point for participation and class discussions.
During the semester, students have to prepare one Power-point (ppt.) presentation on the topic of the course. This presentation will make up 20% of the final grade. Students should use Power-Point for maximum 15 slides for 10 minutes. If Student needs radio, s/he should inform the instructor before the course. After the presentations, all students complete the form to estimate other students’ presentations. Every student has right to see his/her evolutions of his/her presentation. After the presentation, students can see their evaluation as an online in the e-course system. If the student will be unsatisfactory of the result, s/he has right to remake one more presentation on a new topic.
Style of the Presentation evaluation:
|
N |
Formal correspondence |
Literature & Knowledge |
Argumentations |
Logic and sequence of ideas |
Illustrations |
Creativity (Originality and self thinking) |
Conversation after oral presentation |
Impression of oral presentation |
Total |
|
|
2 points |
5 points |
2 points |
2 points |
3 points |
2 points |
2 points |
2 points |
20 points |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Suggested Presentation Topics:
C. Portfolio – 50%
As a final work every students have to prepare a portfolio. This type of study will improve the student creativity and thinking. Portfolio will be composed of;
1- Hand out PowerPoint Presentation. (2.5 points)
2- Reference and Important Sources hand out on your presentation topic. (2.5 points)
3- Evaluation of other students’ presentations (‘’Style of Presentation evaluation’’ chart should be included). (10 points)
4- One or Two pages summary, comments position papers for each week. (10 points)
5- Short homework as indicated in the e-course. (5 points)
6- Newspaper: Every student chooses one country of Europe and follows English language newspapers of the representative country on the internet for the whole semester. (10 points)
7- Beginning of the semester observation paper: ‘’What is Europe, Why did you choose to Study at European Studies department and what are your expectations from the discipline?’’ (5 points)
8- At the end of the semester reflection paper: Please read your semester beginning observation paper and figure out if there are some similarities and differences. (5 points)
As a result of these, the portfolio should be consisted of these eight sections. Students are highly encouraged to use their creativity to structure their portfolios. Students should also use any illustrative materials for their portfolio.
The deadline of Portfolio is 9th December 2013 Monday until 17:00. Late Submission will not be accepted.
There will be 50 points for Portfolio as indicated! If student forget some of them, these missing part will be counted as zero point.
D. Final Exam – 20 %
Each student must take a final exam (20%) for this course. The final exam will be given after the entire course is completed. The date of the exam is 18th December 2013 Wednesday at 09:25-14:40 R310.
In the first part, there will be Five True or False Questions (1 point for each), in the second part there will be Five Multiple choice questions (1 point for each). And there will be two short identification essays (5 points for each).
The Final exam will be lasted 75 minutes.
Make-up examinations will NOT be administered except in the case of a medical emergency.
Grading Policy:
The grade for the course will be comprised of the following percentages:
Online Participation and Classroom Discussions: 10%
Presentation: 20%
Portfolio: 50%
Final Exam: 20%
|
Grade |
Quality Points |
Results |
Grade Percentages |
|
|
A |
4.00 |
Excellent |
Above 93% |
|
|
A- |
3.67 |
Excellent |
89.51% - 92.49% |
|
|
B+ |
3.33 |
Good |
85.51% - 89.49% |
|
|
B |
3.0 |
Good |
82.51% - 85.49% |
|
|
B- |
2.67 |
Good |
79.51% - 82.49% |
|
|
C+ |
2.33 |
Average |
75.51% - 79.49% |
|
|
C |
2.0 |
Average |
72.51% - 75.49% |
|
|
C- |
1.67 |
Average |
69.51% - 72.49% |
|
|
D+ |
1.33 |
Poor |
65.51% - 69.49% |
|
|
D |
1.0 |
Poor |
62.51% - 65.49% |
|
|
D- |
0.67 |
Poor |
59.51% - 62.51% |
|
|
F |
0.00 |
Failed |
Less than 59.49 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Excellent Grades: ‘’A’’ and ‘’A-‘’. Good Grades: ‘’B+’’, ‘’B’’, and ‘’B-‘’.
Average Grades: ‘’C+’’, ‘’C’’, and ‘’C-‘’. Poor Grades: ‘’D+’’, ‘’D’’, and ‘’D-‘’.
Failed Grade: ‘’F’’.
IV. TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE
Week I. Introduction
02.09.2013 – Day off (Independence Day of the Kyrgyz Republic)
04.09.2013 – Syllabus & Introduction
A. DIVERSITY OF EUROPE
Week II. The Many Dimensions of Europe
09.09.2013 – Definition of Europe and Basic Characteristics of European Continent.
11.09.2013 – Europe: A Continent in the Making.
Readings: Total 23 Pages.
- Alexander B. Murphy, Terry G. Jordan-Bychkov and Bella Byckova Jordan (ed.), “The European Culture Area” Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, inc. 2009, Pages: 1-23
Supplementary Readings:
- Richard Sakwa and Anne Stevens, ‘’Contemporary Europe’’, Palgrave Foundations, 2000, Pages: 1-21 (Chapter 1).
Week III. Demography of Europe
16.09.2013 – Demography.
18.09.2013 – Demography.
Readings: Total 20 Pages.
- Alexander B. Murphy, Terry G. Jordan-Bychkov and Bella Byckova Jordan (ed.), “The European Culture Area” Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, inc. 2009, Pages: 71-91
Week IV. European Languages
23.09.2013 – The Pattern of Languages.
25.09.2013 - The Pattern of Languages.
Readings: Total 20 Pages.
- Alexander B. Murphy, Terry G. Jordan-Bychkov and Bella Byckova Jordan (ed.), “The European Culture Area” Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, inc. 2009, Pages: 95-121.
Supplementary Readings:
- European Commission, ‘’Speaking for Europe: Languages in the European Union’’
http://ec.europa.eu/publications/booklets/move/74/index_en.htm
*European Language Day: 26th September 2013 / Thursday
- Pia Vanting Christiansen, ‘’Language Policy in the European Union’’, Journal of Language Problems and Language Planning, John Benjamins Publishing Company, 30:1, 2006.
http://www.esperanto-jongeren.nl/pdf/EuropeanUnion.pdf
Week V. The Religious Dimension.
30.09.2013 – The Religious Dimension.
02.10.2013 – The Religious Dimension.
Readings: Total 33 Pages.
- Alexander B. Murphy, Terry G. Jordan-Bychkov and Bella Byckova Jordan (ed.), “The European Culture Area” Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, inc. 2009, Pages: 125-158.
Week VI. The Europe of Nations
07.10.2013 – The Ethnic Dimension: Nationality, Nation States and Minorities.
09.10.2013 – The Ethnic Dimension: Nationality, Nation States and Minorities.
Readings: Total 15 Pages.
- Alexander B. Murphy, Terry G. Jordan-Bychkov and Bella Byckova Jordan (ed.), “The European Culture Area” Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, inc. 2009, Pages:161-169 & 357-364.
Week VII. Independent Study and Kurman Ait (15th October 2013)
14.10.2013– Independent Study
16.10.2013 – Independent Study
Week VIII. European Governmental Systems
21.10.2013– Parliamentary and Presidential Systems in Europe and Monarchies in Europe.
23.10.2013 –Parliamentary and Presidential Systems in Europe and Monarchies in Europe.
- Readings: Total 26 Pages.
- Richard Sakwa and Anne Stevens, ‘’Contemporary Europe’’, Palgrave Foundations, 2000, Pages: 109-135
B. UNITY OF EUROPE
28.10.2013 – Basic Characteristics of the EU.
30.10.2013 – Basic Characteristics of the EU.
Readings: Total: 26 Pages.
- John McCormick, ‘’Understanding the European Union: A Concise Introduction’’, Palgrave Macmillan, 2005, 3rd Edition, Pages: 1-26
04.11.2013 – Historical Developments of the European Integration.
06.11.2013 – Independent Study (No classes)
Readings: Total: 26 Pages.
- John McCormick, ‘’Understanding the European Union: A Concise Introduction’’, Palgrave Macmillan, 2005, 3rd Edition, Pages: 52-78.
Supplementary Readings:
- Elizabeth Bomberg, John Peterson and Alexander Stubb, ‘’the European Union: How Does It Work’’, Oxford University Press, Pages: 22-41.
***Note: Registration – spring 2014 (November 4 – 17)
Week XI. The Evolution of the EU
11.11.2013 – Historical Developments of the European Integration.
13.11.2013 – The EU’s Institutions (*Initiation Day-50 min classes)
Readings: Total 21 Pages.
- Elizabeth Bomberg, John Peterson and Alexander Stubb, ‘’the European Union: How Does It Work’’, Oxford University Press, Pages: 45-67.
Week XII. The EU’s Institutions
18.11.2013 – The EU’s Institutions
20.11.2013 - The EU’s Institutions
Readings: Total 19 Pages.
- Richard Sakwa and Anne Stevens, ‘’Contemporary Europe’’, Palgrave Foundations, 2000, Pages: 182-201 (Chapter 9).
Week XIII. The EU as an International Actor
25.11.2013 – The EU and the World.
27.11.2013 - The EU and the World.
Readings: Total 25 Pages.
- John McCormick, ‘’Understanding the European Union: A Concise Introduction’’, Palgrave Macmillan, 2005, 3rd Edition, Pages: 208-233.
Week XIV. Current Debates and Issues in Europe
02.12.2013– Current Debates and Issues in Europe.
04.12.2013 – Current Debates and Issues in Europe.
Week XV. Review of the Course
09.12.2013 –Review of the Course.
11.12.2013 – Review of the Course.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
AFSJ – Area of Freedom, Security and Justice.
Benelux – Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg.
CAP - Common Agricultural Policy.
CEE – Central Eastern Europe.
CEEC – Committee for European Economic Co-operation.
CEN – European Committee for Standardization.
CET – Common External Tariffs.
CC - Candidate Country.
CFP – Common Fisheries Policy.
CFSP – Common Foreign Security Policy.
CJEU – Court of Justice of the European Union.
CoR – Committee of the Regions and Local Authorities.
COREPER - Committee of Permanent Representatives.
CSCE – Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe.
EAEC - European Atomic Energy Community=EURATOM.
EAFRD – European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
EC – European Community.
ECB – European Central Bank.
ECJ – European Court of Justice.
ECOSOC - Economic and Social Committee of the EC.
ECSC - European Coal and Steel Community.
ECU - European Currency Unit.
EDF - European Development Fund.
EEA – European Economic Area or European Environment Agency.
EEC - European Economic Community.
EESC – European Economic and Social Committee.
EFTA - European Free Trade Association.
EIB - European Investment Bank.
EMF – European Monetary Fund.
EMS - European Monetary System.
EMU – Economic and Monetary Union.
ENP – European Neighbourhood Policy.
EP - European Parliament.
ERASMUS - European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students
ERDF - European Regional Development Fund.
ESDP – European Security and Defense Policy.
ESF - European Social Fund
EU – European Union.
Eurojust- Europeans judicial co-operation unit.
Europol – European Police Office.
EUROSTAT - Community's Statistical Office.
GDP – Gross Domestic Products.
IGC – Intergovernmental Conference.
IMF – Internatioanal Monetary Fund.
IPE – International Political Economy.
IR – International Relations.
JHA – Justice and Home Affairs.
MEP - Member of the European Parliament.
MFN – Most Favoured Nation.
NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
NGOs – Non-Governmental Organizations
NTB – Non-tarrif barriers.
OECD - Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
OEEC – Organisation for European Economic Cooperation.
PR – Proportional Representation.
QMV – Qualified Majority Voting.
SEA – Single European Act.
SEM – Single European Market.
TEU – Treaty on European Union.
UN – United Nations.
WEU - Western European Union.
EUROPEAN UNION WEB RESOURCES
Europe http://www.europa.eu.int/
European Union in the US http://www.eurunion.org/index.htm
A to Z Index of European Union Websites
http://www.eurunion.org/infores/euindex.htm
EuroInternet http://eiop.or.at/euroint/
Know Europe Web Directory http://www.knoweurope.net/demo/html/webdir2.htm
EUROPARL: The European Parliament Online
http://www.europarl.eu.int/home/default_en.htm
CONSILIUM: Council of the European Union http://ue.eu.int/en/summ.htm
The European Commission http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/index_en.htm
CURIA - The Court of Justice http://curia.eu.int/en/index.htm
Court of Auditors http://www.eca.eu.int/EN/menu.htm
European Central Bank http://www.ecb.int/
European Economic and Social Committee http://www.ces.eu.int/pages/en/home.htm
Committee of the Regions http://www.cor.eu.int/home.htm
European Investment Bank http://www.eib.eu.int/
European Ombudsman http://www.euro-ombudsman.eu.int/home/en/default.htm
Community Plant Variety Office http://www.cpvo.eu.int
CEDEFOP: The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training
http://www.cedefop.eu.int/
European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products http://www.emea.eu.int
European Agency for Reconstruction http://www.ear.eu.int
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work http://europe.osha.eu.int
European Defense Agency: http://www.eda.europa.eu/
European Environment Agency http://www.eea.eu.int
European Food Safety Authority http://www.efsa.eu.int/
European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
http://www.eurofound.eu.int/
European Investment Fund http://www.eif.org/about/mission.htm
European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction http://www.emcdda.org
European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia http://www.eumc.eu.int
European Training Foundation http://www.etf.eu.int
Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market http://oami.eu.int
Translation Centre for the Bodies of the European Union http://www.cdt.eu.int
E. OTHER RELATED WEBSITES
Archive of European Integration http://aei.pitt.edu
Blue Guide to the Archives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Member States and
the Institutions of the European Union http://ue.eu.int/BlueGuide/en/intro.htm
Compendium: Cultural Policies in Europe http://www.culturalpolicies.net/
Historical Archives http://europa.eu.int/historical_archives/index_en.html
EIoP: European Integration online Papers http://eiop.or.at/eiop/
European Foreign Policy Bulletin http://www.iue.it/EFPB/about_database.htm
The European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR): http://www.ecprnet.eu/
Euractiv EU News & Policy debates: www.euractiv.com
University Association for Contemporary European Studies (UACES): www.uaces.org
The European Union Studies Association (EUSA): www.eustudies.org
The European Union Center of Excellence (EUCE): http://www.euce.org
EuroInternet: http://eiop.or.at/euroint/
PLOTEUS (Portal on Learning Opportunities throughout the European Space):
http://ec.europa.eu/ploteus/home.jsp?language=en
Europe’s World: http://www.europesworld.org/
Debating Europe: http://www.debatingeurope.eu/
Toutel Europe: http://www.touteleurope.eu/index.php?id=4468
Europe in 12 Lessons:
http://bookshop.europa.eu/en/europe-in-12-lessons-pbNA3110652/
Euro Web-Online: http://www.euro-webonline.com/main.htm
YouTube EU: http://www.youtube.com/eutube
BBC News – Europe: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/europe/
EU Observer: http://euobserver.com
Foreign and Security Policy: www.europa.eu/pol/cfsp/index_en.htm
European Research Papers Archive: http://eiop.or.at/erpa/
The EU Delegation to the United States: http://www.eurunion.org/eu/
Access to European Union Law: (Eur-Lex): http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm
American University of Central Asia
7/6 Aaly Tokombaev Street
Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic 720060
Tel.: +996 (312) 915000 + Еxt.
Fax: +996 (312) 915 028
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