EUR 324:  Introduction to the European Union
- Economics, Politics, Culture and Society

Options:

• EUR 324 – Introduction to the European Union
  Integrated overview of EU institutions, policy, economy, culture, and society.
  Session B2 only.
  
• BUS 324 – Introduction to the European Union (Business Focus)
  Emphasizes markets, firms, regulation, and cross-border economic activity.
  Session B2 only.
• SOC 324 – Introduction to the European Union (Social Focus)
  Emphasizes social policy, identity, migration, and cultural context.
  Session B2 only.
• POL 324 – Introduction to the European Union (Policy Focus)
  Emphasizes governance, institutions, law, and decision-making processes.
  Session B2 only.
• EUR 326 – Introduction to the European Union, Culture, and Society
  Integrated, intensive course combining EU foundations with cross-cultural analysis.
  Session B1 only.
  
  

Credits: 3 US semester credits (48 contact hours)
Session: B2 (Primary Morning Course, required)
Prerequisites: None
Language of Instruction: English

Course Description
This course provides an integrated overview of the European Union, examining its political institutions, economic foundations, social structures, and cultural context. Students study the historical development of European integration, the structure and function of EU governance, and the role of regulation, policy, and markets within the Single Market.

The course emphasizes how European institutions shape economic activity, public policy, and social life across member states. Students analyze the interaction between supranational decision-making and national variation, and examine how shared frameworks are applied differently across regions and societies.

Course material draws on political science, economics, sociology, and cultural analysis to help students understand how the European Union operates as both a political system and a lived social reality. Through comparative analysis and applied examples, students develop the ability to evaluate how institutions, culture, and historical context influence outcomes across Europe.

This course is appropriate for students in international studies, political science, economics, sociology, business, and related fields.


Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Explain the European Union’s origins, institutional structure, and decision-making processes.
• Analyze how the Single Market shapes economic coordination, competition, and mobility across member states.
• Evaluate the role of EU regulatory frameworks, competition policy, and public funding in shaping organizational behavior.
• Compare how different European regions apply shared EU frameworks within distinct historical, social, and economic contexts.
• Apply institutional concepts to real-world case studies observed during professional and cultural site visits.
• Demonstrate critical reflection and comparative analysis through written work, group projects, and guided discussions.
  
  

Course Structure

• Lectures and Seminars
  Faculty-led sessions introducing EU institutions, policies, and comparative analytical frameworks.
• Professional and Institutional Visits
  Visits to companies, public institutions, research centers, and civic organizations across multiple European cities.
• Daily Debrief Sessions
  Guided discussions linking site visits and observations to course concepts and readings.
• Group Projects and Discussions
  Collaborative analysis of EU institutions, policies, and regional variation.

Weekly Modules & City Integration

Module 1 – Origins and Institutions

• Historical foundations of European integration
• EU institutions and decision-making processes
• Introduction to comparative institutional analysis
• Debrief: How institutions translate into real-world governance

Module 2 – The Single Market in Practice

• The four freedoms: goods, services, people, and capital
• Competition policy and state aid
• National variation within a shared regulatory framework
• Applied case discussion

Module 3 – Regulation, Policy, and Coordination

• EU regulatory approaches in key sectors
• Research, innovation, and public funding mechanisms
• Balancing integration with national autonomy
• Applied policy or funding simulation

Module 4 – Regional Diversity and the Future of the EU

• Economic divergence and cohesion policy
• Crisis response and institutional adaptation
• Debates about enlargement, reform, and governance
• Integrative comparative analysis and final synthesis

Assignments and Assessment

• Participation and Debriefs (20%)
  Active contributions to lectures, discussions, and daily debrief sessions.
• Field Reflection Papers (30%)
  Short analytical essays connecting site visits and observations to EU institutions and policy frameworks.
• Group Project (30%)
  Research and presentation examining how EU institutions or policies affect a selected sector, policy area, or social issue.
• Final Exam (20%)
  Written integrative assessment covering EU institutions, policies, and comparative analysis.

Readings (Representative Selection)

• McCormick, John. Understanding the European Union. 7th ed.
• Selected European Union policy documents and institutional reports.
• Articles from The Economist, Financial Times, and Politico Europe.
• European Commission–commissioned reports on competitiveness, regulation, and integration.

Unique Features

• Multi-city academic structure that uses place as a comparative analytical tool.
  
• Integrated professional and institutional visits tied directly to coursework.
  
• Structured reflection that turns observation into assessed academic learning.
  
  

view Syllabus - eur 324

old versions (needs updating):

syllabus_eur324_unyp_summit_summer_2026_v01.pdf
File Size:	303 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---

textbooks_summit_europe_2015.docx
File Size:	182 kb
File Type:	docx

Download File

---

Host University School of Record: 

• Global Summit Prague: The University of New York in Prague (UNYP) 

Partner Universities (while traveling):

• IQS School of Management, Ramon Llull University, Barcelona 

• IESEG School of Management, Paris
• Middlesex University, London

Note: course offerings are subject to change.