POLITICAL SCIENCE 3700.001

WEST EUROPEAN POLITICS

SPRING, 1997

PROFESSOR BOOKS

OFFICE WH156

HOURS: MWF 9-10

W 2-3

PHONE: (817) 5652312

E-MAIL: jbooks@wooten.unt.edu

HOMEPAGE: http//www.psci.unt.edu/jbooks

EUROPAGE: http://www.psci.unt.edu/jbooks/europage.htm

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to government and politics in three of the major nations of Western Europe, and the politics of the European Community. While we will concentrate on the United Kingdom, Germany and France we will also discuss the growing importance of the European Union in domestic politics in European nations. Since this course is an introduction, little previous knowledge is assumed. You will be able to follow political events in Europe through the world-wide web, however, and you are encouraged to do so. In our truncated tour of European government and politics we will focus on variations in political cultures, government structures, non-governmental organizations, and public opinion and responses that characterize these nations. Frequent comparisons to the United States will aid understanding of these nations and our own political system.

Grading Procedures:

Your grade will be based on five components: three exams (one on each nation), a paper (on the European Union), and class participation. Each exam will come in two parts and take two hours. It will constitute 25% of your grade (three = 75%). The paper will be worth 15% of your course grade. It is due on February 3. This paper will be written using resources gleaned from the internet exclusively. The topics for this paper on the European Union are listed on the attached sheet. there is a homepage for this class (noted above) which has helpful locations for your internet search. Go first to the Europa Homepage and download their sections on Historic Achievements, and Institutions. We will use those in class. They will be a good start for your paper. The last ten percent (10%) of your course grade will be based on classroom performance. This is a measure of how well you contribute to the life of the class. It is not based on attendance, although contributing to the life of the class is very difficult in absentia. Class attendance is not required. Class participation is admired and rewarded.

There are several simple rules for this class:

NO CHEATING! Anyone found cheating on exams or plagiarizing on the paper automatically fails the course. (That is the Course, and I mean it.)

PAY ATTENTION. Proper classroom behavior is required. Students disrupting class will be asked to leave, and persistent inappropriate behavior can lead to administrative dismissal from the course. PARTICIPATE IN THE LIFE OF THE CLASS. Ten percent of your grade hinges on it and it will do you and the rest of us good.

My office hours are listed above. I can also be reached almost any time by e-mail (jbooks@wooten.unt.edu). Or just stop by WH156 and chat. If my hours are inconvenient, make an appointment at a time that works for you. Don't let problems go unaddressed.

Textbooks:

Norton, Philip. The British Polity. 3rd Edition. (N.Y.: Longman Publishing Group, 1994).

Conradt, David P. The German Polity. 6th Edition. (N.Y.: Longman Publishing Group, 1996).

William Safran. The French Polity. 4th Edition. (N.Y.: Longman Publishing Group, 1996).

Course Outline:
 

Jan. 15 Introduction

Go to Europa Homepage and learn about the History and Institutions of the European Union.

Jan. 17 - 27 The History, Institutions, and Operation of the EU.

Read: Europa Homepage Sections.

And Norton's chapter 10

Jan. 29 Introduction to British Politics

Read: Norton, Chs. 1 and 3

Jan. 31- The British Constitution and Political Culture

Feb. 3 Read: Norton, Chs. 2 and 4.
 

Feb . 5 EU PAPERS DUE (15% of Course Grade)
 

Feb 5-10 Political Parties, Groups, Elections and Mass Behavior

Read: Norton, Chs. 5, 6, and 7.

Feb 12-17 The Institutions of Government: Parliament and Cabinet

Read: Norton, Chs. 8. 11, and 12

Feb. 19-21 Public Policy in Great Britain

Read: Norton, Chs. 9 and 15

Feb. 24 Review of British Politics

Feb. 26 EXAM I: British Politics, Part One

Feb. 28 EXAM I: British Politics, Part Two

Mar. 3 Introduction to Germany

Read: Conradt, Ch. 1

Mar. 5-10 German History and Political Culture. Reunification

Read: Conradt, Chs 2, 3, and 4

Mar. 12-24 Political Parties, Groups, Elections, Political Participation.

Read: Conradt, Chs. 5 and 6

Mar. 26-31 Bundestag, Bundesrat, and Chancellor

Read: Conradt, Ch. 7

April 2 Public Policy in Germany

Read: Conradt, Chs. 9 and 10

April 4 EXAM II: German Politics, Part One

April 7 EXAM II: German Politics, Part Two

April 9 Introduction to France (or I love Paris in the Springtime)

Read: Safran, Chs 1 and 2

April 11-14 French History and Culture

Read: Safran, Ch. 3

April 16-21 Parties, Groups, Political Behavior, Elections

Read: Safran, Chs. 4 and 5

April 23-28 The National Assembly, The Senate, The President

Read: Safran, Chs. 6 and 7

April 30 Policy in Modern France

Read: Safran, Chs. 8 and 10

May 2 Dead Day

Exam III (FINAL): France (Parts One and Two): MONDAY, MAY 5: 8:00- 10:00

Instructions: You are to write a short paper (5-7 pages) on one of the following topics relating to the European Union. This paper must be type-written, double-spaced, and follow good style. It must also use only resources found on the net, and it must document these sources in a standard way (I'll give you a handout on that.). Please read the rules on plagiarism attached to this syllabus. They apply to this paper. Come by and see me if you need any help at all.
 
 

Option One: THE big question confronting Europe at this moment is Monetary Union. What do the citizens of three major European nations and their leaders think about this issue? Is the monetary union goal set by Maastricht likely to be attained? Why or why not? (Lots of latitude on this one -- go for it.)
 

Option Two: A permanent question involved in European intergration is whether to emphasize "deepening" or "broadening." What is this all about? Which is being emphaisized now? What are the prospects for each in the rest of this century? Are there any significant barriers in the way for each component? What are they?
 

Option Three: Last year there was a bit of a disagreement over the selection of the head of the European Commission. What politics are involved in the selection of this person, and the other commissioners? How do different national governments figure in the selection process? How has this changed since 1958? Does it really matter who is appointed head of the Commission? Why?
 

Option Four: What nations have applied for membership to the EU? Assess the chances each have for membership. What criteria are involved in admission? What politics are involved? To what extent is international politics involved? What role does economic development or economic health play? How large can the EU get? What, if anything, will restrict its growth?