The years since 1945 have been the longest period since 113 B.C. in which no army has crossed the Rhine with war-like intentions. The very idea of war between the European Union's member States seems as remote as to be nonsensical. The creation of the European Union (EU); a legal, political, economic, cultural, and soon to be military entity, is one of the greatest economic experiments in the history of Mankind. The shape and scope of the EU has the capacity to affect the lives of hundreds of millions of people in different ways, some positive, some negative. Thus a careful study of this experiment is in order. This module uses economics to understand the history of the EU, its significance in terms of the post 1945 World Economy, the EU's international interactions with the rest of the world, its development up to today, and the prospects for change most likely in the future. This module builds on introductory micro and macro economic principles and using economic theory as a lens we will use real world examples, data, and current topics to inform our discussions on the evolution of the European Union.

The module is divided into eight sections set our below. Worksheets corresponding to each topic will aid students revise the module content. Core texts will support lecture material along with references and recommended readings for each topic, where relevant. Topic 1 Introduction to the Course • History of European Integration since the beginning of the 20th century. Topic 2 Economic Growth in Europe • Growth in Europe: Facts and Figures • Growth effects and factor market integration • Solow's Medium Term Growth Model Topic 3 Trade Theory and the EU • Absolute Advantage • Comparative Advantage • Production Possibility Frontier • Standard Trade Model • EU Trade Policy • Trade Effects • Tariffs • Quotas • Welfare analysis of trade • Measuring consumers' and producers' surplus in an open economy Topic 4 History and Future of the Common Agricultural Policy Topic 5 History of the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs and World Trade Organisation • EU and International Trade Agreements • EU Development Policy • EU Trade Disputes Topic 6 Environmental Economics • Environmental Policy in the EU • Energy Policy in the EU Topic 7 EU Competition Policy • Theory of Monopoly and Perfect Competition Topic 8 The History of Monetary Integration • The Theory of Economic and Monetary Union • Optimum Currency Area Theory • The European System of Central Banks • The Stability and Growth Pact • Euro and the Great Crisis • Banking System and the Future of Euro Area

• Demonstrate an awareness of the historical literature on the development of the EU; • Knowledgeable about EU policy and their impact on the Irish economy; • Interpret and explain theories of trade, growth and competition; • Describe the role of international trade organisations and agreements; • Engage in contemporary debates regarding the European economy and its integration; • Analyse the impact and importance of various policies responses to the EU and Ireland. • Demonstrate a synthesis of the important issues of the day pertaining to the EU from an economic context.

Discuss and analyse Irish government policy in light of the presence of the EU. Justify their conclusions using economic arguments with appropriate rigour, and communicate effectively and clearly in written and oral formats.

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The module is delivered through a combination of lecture and tutorial contact hours, as well as private study hours. Each lecture will be a mixture of multimedia presentations on key theories and policies relating the European Union. Discussions of recent developments, research papers related to the European Union and Irish economies are incorporated into the module. Tutorials are dedicated to proving students with a platform for greater discussion of the module content, as well as helping students to complete relevant problem sets and prepare for essay questions. Students are assessed both formatively and summative, through problems sets, essay questions, class discussion and group work. These assessment methods help foster attributes such as being knowledgeable, collaborative and responsible.