Economic and Currency Policy of the European Union

Presentation

The success of the European Union depends most of all in attaining the objectives defined in its Treaty, which requires the existence of policies capable of achieving them. This curricular unit will analyze and evaluate the existing economic and monetary policies of the EU, particularly on what concerns their suitability and measure of success. As such this is a central curricular unit on what concerns the course's plan of studies, as it may greatly contribute to the fulfilment of the students' objectives which are, first of all, understanding the integration process of Europe and obtaining the knowledge and skills to  enable their participation in such a process.

Part of this Programme

European Studies and International Relations

Level of Qualification|Semesters|ECTS

| Semestral | 6

Year | Type of course unit | Language

2 |Mandatory |Português

Code

ULHT450-14669

Recommended complementary curricular units

The successful completion of the curricular units Introduction to Economics (1st year) and European Institutions (2nd year, 1st semester) may contribute for a better understanding of the issues discussed in the present curricular unit.

Prerequisites and co-requisites

n/a

Professional Internship

Não

Syllabus

1. European economic integration

       1.1  Background

       1.2  Treaty of Rome and its project

       1.3  The EU from Maastricht to Lisbon

       1.4  The great lines of the European economic policies

2. European monetary integration

       2.1  1945 ¿ 1958

       2.2  1959 ¿ 1971 (integration in the IMS)

       2.3  1971 ¿ 1979 (independence)

       2.4  1979 ¿ 1998 (EMS)

       2.5  1999 -        (the euro)

              2.5.1 The Delors report

              2.5.2 Maastricht

              2.5.3 Criticism

       2.6  Great lines of the European monetary policy

3. The crisis of 2008

       3.1  Background

       3.2  The crisis and its manifestations

       3.3  The crisis in the Southern countries

              3.3.1 The crisis in Portugal

              3.3.2 The bailout and its requirements

              3.3.3 Alternatives

       3.4  European policies towards fighting the crisis

       3.5  Alternatives and perspectives

Objectives

Besides becoming familiar with the EU's economic and monetary policies, the main objective of this curricular unit is promoting the students' capacity to evaluate and criticize those policies and their suitability to achieve the stated objectives. Students are also encouraged to analyze alternative policies to achieve the defined objectives.

Teaching methodologies and assessment

The various themes part of the syllabus are presented in the classroom, with the help of whatever means are considered adequate, such as diagrams or tables. A discussion follows in accordance to the questions asked by the students. Reference is made to contemporary events occurring either in Europa or elsewhere. When dealing with more controversial issues, such as the proposals to fight the 2008 crisis, the most significant criticisms are presented as well as the more frequent alternatives proposed, and the students are invited to give their opinion and justify them. Grading in this curricular unit is a combination of the students performance in the discussions held and the results of three tests, one for each of the mais chapters. Before each test students receive a list with 10 to 12 questions, three of which will constitute the test. The purpose is to encourage students to study in greater detail the most important issues being studied.

References

• SILVA, Nuno Cardoso da, A Europa Possível, Edições Chiado, Lisboa, 2016, ISBN 9789895178780

• AUTHERS, John, The European Financial Crisis, FT Press ,Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2013 ISBN 9780133133714

• PORTO, Manuel C. L., Teoria da Integração e Políticas da União Europeia (5ª edição), Coimbra, Almedina, 2016, ISBN 978972406791

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