TEACHING RESOURCES

Teaching the EU

SYLLABI - SIMULATIONS

Inter-Nation Simulation: SUNYLUX
by Prof. William Andrews

Political Simulations: Model EU
by Prof. John McCormick

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PLS 305 Inter-Nation Simulation: SUNYLUX

Professor Andrews

Fall 1995

COURSE SYLLABUS

This course studies European integration from an international organization perspective. It focuses on the European Union and incorporates the organization of and substantial participation in NYSLUX96, a major international, inter-collegiate simulation exercise. Some years (e.g., 1995-1996), this includes travel to Europe and leadership roles in the exercise. In other years (1996-1997), it involves organizing and running the exercise at Brockport. Simulation activities are sponsored jointly by the Department of Political Science, the SUNYMEC student club, the Institute for European and International Studies/ Luxembourg and the New York Consortium for European Union Simulations and Studies (NYCEUSS). Because the simulation is scheduled this year after the end of Fall semester, grades of "P" for "in progress" will be submitted for all students at the end of the term. Final grades will be determined and reported after the beginning of Spring 1996 semester.

A. The main components of the course are:

1. Classroom meetings. Conventional classroom sessions will meet for 35 hours in lecture- discussion sessions. These meetings will present a conventional academic introduction to the phenomenon of European integration, but also are designed to assist the students to become prepared academically for the simulation. About 90 minutes of each session will be used by the instructor to present material on the process of European integration. The instructor will develop and support the argument that the European unification process can be understood best as exemplifying the operation of an "integration dynamic" in inter-national organization. The remaining 90 minutes of each session will be used in ways the students and instructor agree will be useful preparation for the simulation, including discussions of the textbook; of the simulation topic; of the country, parties, and interest communities being represented at the simulation by the class members; and of progress reports on intellectual preparations, etc. They will also provide the students with a convenient opportunity for liaison in their organizational planning activities.

2. Reading assignments. Required reading for the course includes:

• Neill Nugent, The Government and Politics of the European Community, 3rd ed. (to be purchased).

• Student background papers.

• Other materials as indicated by the instructor.

3. Written assignments. Each student is required to prepare and submit the following outside written work for the course:

• A personal and political profile of the "alter ego" the student will represent in the simulation (3-5 pp.).

• An institutional paper, (8-10 pages), on some aspect of the country (for students acting as members of the government), political party (MEPs), or interest community (MESCs) the student is representing in the simulation.

• A policy paper, about 12-15 typewritten pages long, on some aspect of the topic of the simulation (European social policy).

The instructor may assign other written projects required for the simulation. All standard academic rules on citation of sources and independent work apply fully to these assignments. Students uncertain about the rules should consult the instructor.

4. Simulation organization and participation. The simulation requires about 25 hours of organized participation. This is treated as a one-credit laboratory portion of the course. Students enrolled in PLS 305 are also expected to work through the SUNYMEC Club to collaborate on organizing and preparing for the simulation.

5. Examinations. A mid-term examination will be given in class on October 10, on the material covered in the classroom sessions and the textbook until that time. A take-home essay-type examination will be given at the beginning of the Spring 1996 semester. The question or questions will be framed so as to require the students to relate the academic and simulation parts of the course. That is, they will be expected to demonstrate that both their academic work and their simulation participation contributed to their understanding of European integration.

1. B. Course work will be weighted as follows in evaluation of the students' performance for the semester:

2. Written work, 30% (Institutional paper, 15%; Policy paper 10%; Profile and other 5%)

3. Mid-term exam 10%

4. Classroom participation 15%

5. Simulation participation 25%

6. Take-home examination 20%

C. The schedule of classroom meetings follows, subject to change as required to prepare for the simulation. At each meeting, other simulation organizational matters will be dealt with as they arise.

Date	Topic	Readings	Assignment
August 29	Introductory session	none
September 5	Historical evolution I	Nugent 1- 37
September 12	Historical evolution II	Nugent 38-81
September 19	The Commission	Nugent 85-122
September 26	The Council	Nugent 123-173	Alter ego profile
October 10	The European Parliament	Nugent 174-206	Mid-term
October 17	Other institutions	Nugent 235-268
October 24	Policies	Nugent 269-296
October 31	Policy Processes	Nugent 296-338
November 7	External relations	Nugent 385-410	Institutional paper
November 14	National Influence	Nugent 411-428
November 21	Law and ECJ	Nugent 207-234
November 28	Budget/ agriculture	Nugent 339-384
December 5	Prospects	Nugent 429-43	Policy paper

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POLITICAL SIMULATIONS: MODEL EU

Spring 1997

Instructor:	John McCormick
Classroom and time:	CA 227, MW 1.00-2.15 pm
Office hours:	MW 2.30-3.30 pm, or by appt. on MW

INTRODUCTION

This is a one-hour course that is offered to prepare you to take part in the Midwest Model European Union.

Held annually on the campus of IUPUI since 1993, the Model EU brings together students from a dozen midwestern colleges and universities to simulate meetings of the governing bodies of the European Union. Students enrolled in Y351 can either take it by itself, or in conjunction with Y335: West European Politics (also offered this semester).

The Midwest Model EU will be held on April 3-5 at the University Place Conference Center on campus. In the preceding 14 weeks, Y351 will meet five times (at the same time and in the same classroom as Y335) with the following main objectives:

• to set up teams of 6-7 students each for the simulation,
  

• to help students familiarize themselves with the decision-making structure of the EU and the rules of the simulation,
  

• to prepare a strategy for participation in the simulation.

REQUIREMENTS

1) Readings. There is one required textbook: The European Union: Politics and Policy (Boulder, CO: Westview, 1996), by your instructor. Copies are available in the bookstore. In addition, copies of the Simulation Guide will be distributed to all students at a class meeting early in the semester.

2) Exams. There will be no exams.

3) Term projects. You will be required to write and submit a profile of the person you are role-playing, and two proposals for new policies or laws.

• The profile should be at least five pages in length (word-processed, double-spaced, reasonable margins), should say something about the personality, ideology, and goals of the incumbent office-holder, but should focus on the powers and responsibilities of the office, and the policy positions of the country he/she represents. Due in class on March 10, and worth 30% of your final grade.
  

• The two proposals should be for new policies or legislation you want to introduce and promote at the Model EU. Each proposal should be limited to two pages (word-processed, single- spaced, reasonable margins). They should briefly outline the proposal, and then argue the case in its favor. They should be presented professionally, because they will be copied and circulated to all other delegations. Due in class by March 24, and worth 30% of your final grade.

4) Taking part in the simulation. The remainder of your grade (40%) will be based on your performance at the simulation itself. Attendance for the duration of the simulation (approximately 3.00pm on Thursday to 5.00pm on Saturday) is a minimum requirement; your grade will be calculated according to the overall quality of your preparation and participation. Anyone winning a team or individual award at the simulation will be given a 5% bonus toward their final grade (the difference, for example, between a B+ and an A).

5) Attendance and participation. SLA policy is that documented illness is usually the only acceptable reason for missing class, and that instructors may impose reduced or failing grades on students cutting class excessively (SLA Bulletin, pp 18-19). I adhere strictly to this policy; since we will only be meeting five times, attendance is mandatory. The best way to avoid any misunderstanding is not to miss class.

6) Grading. I use the following points/letter grade system:

A+ 95%	B+ 82	C+ 70	D+ 58
A 90	B 78	C 66	D 54
A- 86	B- 74	C- 62	D- 50%

NOTE: You cannot pass the course without completing both the papers, and taking part in the entire simulation.

7) Current events. You will get the most satisfaction out of the simulation if you partake with a sound knowledge of current events in western Europe, so keeping up with the news is highly recommended. Among the best sources: The New York Times and The Economist (both available in the library), National Public Radio (WFYI FM 90) and its weekday programs "Morning Edition" (6-9am) and "All Things Considered" (5-7pm), and CNN.

8) Office hours. If you have problems or questions, I'll be in my office during the hours listed on page 1, or by appointment on MW. Phone me or let me know during class if you need to talk to me.

9) Questions. I'll do all I can to make sure you know the requirements for the course, but the responsibility for keeping up and understanding the requirements and the material is yours alone. I will assume that you have read and accepted everything in this syllabus. If you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to ask.

TIMETABLE

Date	Topic and assignments
January 13*	Introduction; goals of the course; distribution of copies of the Simulation Guide.

Before the next meeting, students should read Part One of the assigned text, and meet informally with each other and with students in Y335 to talk about which EU member state they would like to represent.

Delegations and delegation sizes are as follows:

• 8 people-----Big Five EU member states: Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain
  

• 7 people-----Other EU member states: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden

February 5

There will be no class meeting for Y351, but you should - by this date - have submitted to me a list of your preferences for the country or countries you would like to represent at the Model EU

Before the next meeting, students should read Part Two of the assigned text, and meet informally with other students to talk about which roles they each wish to play in their team. You should also:

1. research and familiarize yourself with the name, background, duties, politics, and powers of your real-life counterpart;

2. research and familiarize yourself with the political, economic and social characteristics of your country; and

3. familiarize yourself with the Simulation Manual.

February 19*

First Model EU preparatory session

While attendance is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended that you attend class on the following dates, when we will be studying the major European Union institutions, whose work you will be simulating at the Model EU:

February 24	European Commission (Text Chapter 6)
February 26	Council of Ministers (Chapter 7)
March 3	European Parliament and Court of Justice (Chapters 8-9)
March 5	European Council and others (Chapter 10)
March 10*	Second Model EU preparatory session; Profile due today
March 24	By today, you should have submitted to me your two policy/legislative proposals
April 2*	Final Model EU preparatory session
April 3-5*	5th Midwest Model European Union
April 9	Debriefing

* On these dates, attendance is mandatory

Note: The deadlines in this outline are fixed. Dates may be changed according to circumstances, but extensions to deadlines will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances.