Course Information

Students are required to complete 33 continuous credit hours of graduate coursework. Twelve credits are completed in the fall semester, twelve in the spring, and nine in the summer. The language of instruction is English, but the program also provides intensive Italian language training throughout the fall and spring semesters.

In the fall, students take four 3-credit courses and an Italian language course. The four courses provide an immersion into the theory and practice of European politics and EU policy-making.

In the spring, students take an intensive, 6-credit seminar in EU policy analysis, where they master the tools of theoretical policy analysis and use these tools to understand the causes and consequences of EU policies. In addition, students continue their Italian language training and declare a specialization in either economic and social policy or foreign policy and internal security. They take two 3-credit courses in their policy area of specialization.

In the summer, students take a 6-credit tutorial in EU policy studies, which includes a service-learning project, a practicum, or an intensive research project resulting in a written thesis. They also take a 3-credit seminar that involves engagement with guest speakers and assists in their professional development.

Throughout the year, the program provides opportunities for deep engagement with political and educational institutions in and around Florence.  The program also provides two intensive trips to Brussels and one trip to Rome.

Course Descriptions

Fall Courses

POSC 602. The Politics of European Culture and Identity (3 credits)
This course examines the dynamics of cultural identity inEurope. It canvasses alternative theoretical approaches to identity (primordialism, instrumentalism, constructivism) and addresses the interplay among sub-national, national, and supranational identities in various European states. The course also considers the ways that political actors express and modify identities in an enlarging and increasing multi-cultural Europe.

POSC 603. The Political Institutions of the European Union (3 credits)
This course is a comprehensive consideration of the EU’s institutions and the relationships among them.It analyzes the roles of the EU’s institutions and advisory bodies and considers the ways that executive, legislative, judicial, and advisory institutions interact.The course also engages debates about the “democratic deficit” in Europe and considers whether changes in theUnion’s institutional structure might increase the quality of European democracy.

POSC 604. Policy-Making Processes and Lobbying in the European Union (3 credits)
This course examines the diversity of policy-making processes that characterize EU decision-making and focuses on the ways that groups outside of the EU’s formal decision-making structures influence EU policies.The course analyzes the ways that the EU’s different policy regimes affect extra-institutional actors’ strategies. It focuses on the strategies of interest groups, media outlets, states from outside of the EU, social movements, international organizations, and other extra-institutional actors.

POSC 620. The EU: Contemporary Issues and Controversies (3 credits)
This course offers a deep look into contemporary issues and debates in EU politics. The particular subject matter changes from semester to semester; contemporary issues include the Lisbon Treaty, enlargement to eastern Europe, relations with Turkey, and EU foreign policy. Regardless of its specific focus, this course considers the historical background of the debate, the positions of different member-states and policy players, and the likely future of the issue. The course involves guest lectures from involved policy players and requires active engagement with contemporary media coverage and scholarly literature.

Spring Courses

POSC 640. Seminar in EU Policy Analysis (6 credits)
This course offers an intensive immersion into the methods and concepts of EU policy analysis. It introduces students to policy-analysis techniques, requires students to apply those techniques in case-based projects, and allows students to present and defend policy analyses to public audiences.

POSC 641. Topics in Economic and Social Policy (3 credits)
In-depth exploration of specialized topics in EU economic and social policy.  The topics for each semester will vary and may include the single market, economic and monetary union, competition policy, social policy, agricultural policy, regional policy, environmental policy, energy policy, and research and development policy.

POSC 642. Topics in Foreign Policy and Internal Security (3 credits)
In-depth exploration of specialized topics in EU foreign policy and internal security policies. The topics for each semester will vary and may include European Union foreign policy, security and defense policy, anti-terrorism policy, immigration policy, asylum policy, human rights promotion, efforts against human trafficking, and policies regarding the protection of personal data.

Summer Courses

POSC 690. Tutorial in EU Policy Studies (6 credits)
A tutorial requiring students to pursue one of the following: a service learning project, a practicum or internship, or in-depth original research. Students integrate prior coursework and knowledge as they serve in government, NGO or business settings or develop a thesis in their policy specialization area. They are further exposed to and directly maneuver within specific EU policies and procedures.

POSC 692. EU Seminar (3 credits)
This is the capstone seminar for the program. It is designed to address students’ professional development. The course integrates individual students’ experiences and gives further consideration to topical issues in the European Union. It seeks to build students’ professional networks and to aid their transition into the professional realm. Course work includes speakers, roundtable discussions, research colloquia and study tours.