Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The Political History of European Construction course offers you a detailed overview of the political construction of Europe. The subject matter of the course begins well before the SCHUMAN Declaration of 9 May 1950. You will thus go through the foundations of European construction over a long period of time, as several hours of the course are devoted to events that preceded this construction several centuries ago. Looking at European integration over a long period of time therefore means placing it in a long chain of past events. This approach should enable you to develop a general culture that you can use in your future professional careers, since, beyond the construction of the European Union, you will be familiar with the historical events that took place on the European continent. The course should therefore enable you to understand the development of European history in general and the construction of the European Union in particular.
Further information: How to get there
To do this, alongside the study of the historical facts themselves, you will be led to discover a series of fundamental texts (writings, declarations, legal texts, reports, among others) in order to develop your critical mind. By combining historical knowledge and the discovery of fundamental texts in this way, you are led to understand the profound meaning of European construction, while developing your own opinion on the question (and more broadly, your critical spirit) - an important professional skill in the 21st century. Time is therefore devoted to reading (individual, 3 p.m.) and critical analysis (collective, 3 p.m.) of these texts.
The course is built within the framework of a process comprising three major, closely linked sets of texts: 1. the idea of Europe, 2. the construction of the European Union and 3. the theories of European integration.
Concretely, you are first familiarised with the idea of Europe throughout history by examining collectively the place that this idea occupied before and at the beginning of the construction of Europe.
Secondly, you learn about the different stages in the construction of the European Union by focusing on the place occupied by the States in the framework of European integration. The weight of political figures and "couples" (Franco-German, for example) is also taken into account.
Thirdly, the theories of European integration and approaches to European construction are gradually presented to you in order to highlight the multidimensional process of European construction. I will explain the following theories and approaches in more detail: (neo)functionalism, intergovernmentalism, federalism, institutionalism, constructivism and multi-level governance.
To go further: Why this division of content?
It is fundamental that you understand the interest, in my opinion, in considering the integration of these three major sets. This angle of analysis makes it possible to identify the importance of national political contexts in the process of European construction, as well as the historical, philosophical, political, legal and economic factors that are at the heart of the process of European integration. This integration requires a greater effort on your part, but it also makes it possible to highlight the major issues at stake in the process of European construction and, above all, to make them resonate with the current challenges facing the European Union.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
In the Political History of European Construction course, we pursue several learning objectives. These objectives are prioritised for the sake of clarity and pedagogical justification.
First of all, in order to understand the major mechanisms of European construction, you will have to rely on knowledge. This knowledge can be described as "unavoidable": the main events in the construction of Europe and the major basic concepts that you will be able to juggle with. I would therefore ask you to remember 60 dates in the construction of Europe. These dates will be presented progressively during the course hours. Thus, at the end of the course and thanks to this knowledge, you will be able to :
- to know and define the different factors at the basis of European construction;
- to describe the different stages of European construction by describing the place of the States and the role of political personalities and by basing yourself on a series of fundamental texts;
- to know the 60 dates of the European construction (to do this, you can use a timeline that you can carry out yourself, integrating the different facets of the European construction).
Then, on the basis of these two levels of learning (knowing and understanding), the last two levels should enable you to apply your knowledge to analyse the stages of European construction. Thus, at the end of the course, you will also be able to take a critical look at the fundamental texts that you are led to read, by systematically asking yourself the following questions: Who is the author of the document? What is the date and context? What is the content of the document? What conclusion do you draw from this reading?
More generally, through the Political History of European Integration course, you are systematically invited to develop a particular skill: critical thinking. This skill is one of the six competences developed by the Department of Political Science in Liège, namely: "Analysing issues of power, administration and organisation".
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Since the course is aimed at different audiences, there is no prerequisite in terms of subject matter.
On the other hand, you are asked to adopt an attitude of openness, curiosity and constant questioning. Indeed, we all have prejudices or preconceived ideas about the European Union (we are rather europhile or europhobic, for example). The course will ask you to leave them aside and will invite you to let your convictions be shaken.
To go further: What does it mean to "set aside" your preconceived ideas?
It does not mean that you cannot express your opinion. On the contrary, sharing arguments is an active part of development. However, I invite you to understand the arguments of other students and the content of the course, not to be closed to opposing opinions. By opening yourself to otherness, you also accept the possibility of changing your opinions.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course consists of interrelated learning activities which are carried out at home. Personal work is included in the ECTS package, up to 15 hours.
For each course you have to read a certain number of pages of the textbook and prepare a series of questions. During the course, several of you will propose your answers to the questions.
In addition, you will be presented with ex cathedra content that provides you with essential factual information about European integration and gives you the opportunity to understand the context of the different stages of this integration.
The course is based on a comprehensive textbook which contains much more than this essential information and whose chapters you read before each lesson.
The ex cathedra lessons should enable you to identify the essentials and focus on what I consider to be the most important events, with the textbook allowing you to delve deeper into one or other issue. These lessons are also an opportunity to carry out a critical analysis of certain bibliographical sources, in a collective manner.
To go further: How does the ex cathedra course work in practice?
In each course, a number of students are selected at random to answer the questions to be prepared. Each student delivers their answers to the questions.
In the course of the course sessions, I propose to regularly check the state of your knowledge (by using the digital tool Wooclap). This regular information gathering, with a formative aim (the assessments do not "count for points") will allow me to build my lessons on your knowledge, to come back if necessary on misunderstood elements. To make the most of these formative evaluations, I will ask you to have a high level of involvement in these sessions and to adapt your involvement to learn better.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
Attendance is compulsory. Any unjustified absence will result in the withdrawal of one point from the final grade for each day of absence. The course is held on Tuesdays, from 8 to 10 am. I think it is important for you and your fellow students to be on time for class, despite traffic problems and the pace of public transport. As the course consists of two 50-minute periods, any late arrival disrupts the course and the time devoted to the whole learning process.
For each course, you will find an activity sheet, available online.
You are invited to take note of the chapters that I will indicate to you as the course progresses.
The course should enable you to get into the habit of getting up early...
Recommended or required readings
Compulsory reading:
Grandjean Geoffrey, Histoire politique de la construction européenne, Bruxelles, Bruylant, 2021.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
oral exam
Continuous assessment
Additional information:
Students must read and agree to the teaching commitments and the course outline (available at http://hdl.handle.net/2268/249939) before taking the examination.
There are two types of assessment in this course.
On the one hand, a formative assessment (which does not count for the final grade) takes the form of answers to questions that you bring to each class session. In addition, weekly exercises on the 60 key dates are organised with the help of Wooclap. By "playing the game", you prepare yourself for success and you give me the opportunity to adapt my course to your learning level. I offer you the opportunity to be responsible for your own success.
At the end of the course, an oral examination is held to assess your knowledge and skills. It is based on your knowledge and your ability to find information in your study materials.
For the second session, the examination consists of an oral examination only.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
This course is held every year.
Contacts
I am present at the University every day. Do not hesitate to contact me to meet me. You can contact me by email as I respond quickly.
When a question deserves, in my opinion, a collective answer, I will answer it during the next class session.
Here are my contact details:
Pr. Dr Geoffrey Grandjean
Professeur
Faculté de Droit, de Science politique et de Criminologie
Place des orateurs, 3
4000 Liège
Boîte 11
Bureau 2.17
Tel. : +32 (0)4/366.96.60
Courriel : Geoffrey.Grandjean@uliege.be