September 24, 2014
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ASIA
EUROPEAN STUDIES DEPARTMENT
Academic Year 2014-2015 - Fall Semester
ES 130 – Modern Europe
Course ID: 2903
Course Schedule: Mon. & Wed. & Fri. 12.00-12.50 (R220)
Instructor: Assistant Professor Görkem Atsungur
Office: #214 – European Studies Department.
Office Hours: Monday: 11.00 – 12.00
E-mail: atsungur_g@auca.kg
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
* Required European Studies Departmental Course for Freshmen (Social Science Course)
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. Students will take active part in class discussions and read their weekly assignments/homework. Instructor uses audio-visual materials for the course chapters. All PowerPoint (ppt.) slides and readings are available in the e-course system.
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:
Instructors prepare all required materials for students. Necessary course materials, including the course Syllabus, can be found on the e-course website.
The password for the e-course is esfall2014
Students must check e-course materials regularly – at least twice a week before the classes.
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. Moreover, the students should submit all necessary essays and papers for the academic writing part. All reading materials, including term paper and other essays 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.
F. Adobe Connect:
Since Fall 2014, the instructor Atsungur has been selected by the Office of the CIO to use ‘Adobe Connect’ program in his courses. Adobe Connect is a web conferencing platform for Web Meetings, eLearning, and webinars. For instance, when the instructor is abroad for conference and academic purposes, he can record his courses and students can reach his classes through the links. Moreover, the instructor will record his courses during his classes. Digital meetings enable live, interactive, effective classes and group collaboration between the instructor and students anytime, anywhere, on virtually any device. Students are expected to follow adobe connect requirements.
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 for participation and class discussions. All students should NOT hesitate to participate when they want to expand the topic or they need further explanation, etc. Participation is required for both content and writing part of the course.
Moreover, during the semester students are required to engage in online participation through the e-course system. As a result of this, it is highly recommended to check the e-course at least twice each week.
Any student who misses more than five classes unexcused in total for both content and writing parts of the course without medical report to confirm illness, s/he will fail the course. Students must bring their medical certificate within one week. After one week, medical certificates will not be accepted. All medical certificates must be approved by AUCA clinic first. Without AUCA stamp, medical certificates will not be valid.
Active and meaningful participation will add 10% to the final grade. Medical certification will only help not to fail the grade. Please do not forget that the instructors will also give some points to class attendance.
Moreover, in the fall semester in November, there will be a simulation game. All students should attend this game; otherwise they will take 0 point for participation and class discussions. Simulation game is not extra-curriculum activity. It is part of the academic course. The topic of the stimulate game will be decided with students in the beginning of the semester.
During the semester, three students will be one group and they will prepare one Power-point (ppt.) presentation relating with two European countries. They will compare these two countries and explain basic characteristics of these countries, similarities and differences. This presentation will make up 10% of the final grade. Students should use Power-Point for maximum 15 slides for maximum 10 minutes in total. 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 evaluation.
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 |
|
|
1 point |
3 points |
1 point |
1 point |
1 point |
1 point |
1 point |
1 point |
10 pts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Portfolio – 30%
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 - What is Europe? Students should prepare a work such as poem, song, photograph, essay which explains ‘Europe’ according to them (10%).
2 – What do Europeans talk about? Three students come together and they will choose one country of Europe country and they will follow newspapers of this country through the semester. At the end of the semester, each group will prepare a poster, relating summarized of the newspaper (10%).
3- Summaries of Readings: One or Two pages summary for each week (10 %).
As a result of these, the portfolio should be consisted of these three 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 8th December 2014 Monday until 14:00. Late Submission will not be accepted.
There will be 30 points for Portfolio as indicated! If student forget some of them, these missing part will be counted as zero point.
D. Midterm Exam – 20%
There will be midterm exam on 20 October 2014 Monday at 12:00.
E. Final Exam – 30 %
Each student must take a final exam (30%) for this course. The final exam will be given after the entire course is completed. Starting from Fall-2014 the Registrar office is responsible for scheduling of final exams. The date of final exam will be announced later.
In the first part, there will be Five True or False Questions (1 point for each), in the second part there will be Ten Multiple choice questions (1 point for each). And there will be three short identification essays (5 points for each).
The Final exam will last 75 minutes.
Make-up examinations will NOT be administered except in the case of a medical emergency. If students try to attempt cheating during the exam, the instructor will give F grade for final grade, and a student will fail in the course.
Grading Policy:
The grade for the course will be comprised of the following percentages:
Participation and Classroom Discussions: 10%
Presentation: 10%
Portfolio: 30%
Midterm Exam: 20%
Final Exam: 30%
|
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 % |
IV. TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE
Week I. Introduction
01.09.2014 – Day off (Independence Day of the Kyrgyz Republic)
03.09.2014 – Syllabus
05.09.2014 – Introduction: What is Europe?
A. DIVERSITY OF EUROPE
Week II. The Many Dimensions of Europe
08.09.2014 – Definition of Europe and Basic Characteristics of European Continent.
10.09.2014 & 12.09.2014 – 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
15.09.2014 & 17.09.2014 & 19.09.2014 – 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. The Pattern of Languages in Europe
22.09.2014 & 24.09.2014 & 26.09.2014 – 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
- 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
*European Language Day: 26th September 2014 / Friday
Week V. The Geography of Religion in Europe
29.09.2014 & 01.10.2014 – The Religious Dimension & 03.10.2014 (Day off)
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
06.10.2014 & 08.10.2014 & 10.10.2014 – 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. The European State Systems
13.10.2014& 15.10.2014 & 17.10.2014 - 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
Week VIII. Basic Characteristics of the European Union
20.10.2014& 22.10.2014 & 24.10.2014 - 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.
B. UNITY OF EUROPE
27.10.2014& 29.10.2014 & 31.10.2014 - Historical Developments of the European Integration.
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.
03.11.2014 & 05.11.2014 – The EU’s Institutions & 07.11.2014 (Day off)
Readings: Total 40 Pages.
- Richard Sakwa and Anne Stevens, ‘’Contemporary Europe’’, Palgrave Foundations, 2000, Pages: 182-201 (Chapter 9).
- Elizabeth Bomberg, John Peterson and Alexander Stubb, ‘’the European Union: How Does It Work’’, Oxford University Press, Pages: 45-67.
Week XI. The EU as an International Actor
10.11.2014 & 12.11.2014 & 14.11.2014 – 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 XII. Student Presentations
17.11.2014 & 19.11.2014 & 21.11.2014 – Student Presentations
Week XIII. Modern Europe: Online Several Courses by Different Professors
24.11.2014 & 26.11.2014 - Online Several Courses by Different Professors & 28.11.2014 (Day off)
Week XIV. Current Debates and Issues in Europe
01.12.2014 & 03.12.2014 & 05.12.2014 – Current Debates and Issues in Europe.
Week XV. Review of the Course
08.12.2014 & 10.12.2014 & 12.12.2014 – 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
Euro http://europa.eu.int/euro
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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