San Francisco State University
International Relations 327
Western Europe: Toward a More Perfect Union

Spring Semester 2001
Monday and Wednesday 12:20-2:00 p.m.
HSS 107

Instructor: Ambassador David Fischer                    Telephone: 405-0325
Email: examb@ix.netcom.com                        Office Hours by appt (HSS 133)

This course fulfills the following Segment III GE Cluster: America and World Affairs. Students will not receive Segment III credit for the course unless they complete the Cluster as outlined in the Class Schedule and Bulletin, including the requirement that they must have earned 60 units by the end of the Spring 2000 semester.

Instructions

Please read this syllabus very carefully. It contains not only the course outline, but also important information you will need throughout the course. I will refer to it often and will assume you have kept a copy for easy reference.

Textbooks

The following text is required reading and may be purchased at the University Bookstore.

Urwin, Derek A Political History of Western Europe Since 1945 (New York, Longman 1997, Fifth Edition)

Objective of the Course

This is a time of profound change in the regions of Western, Eastern and Central Europe. The Cold War, the rigid division that dominated European politics since the end of WWII, is now over. The Cold War dominated the security debates and much of the foreign policy agenda in most European states. This global division limited the flexibility and independence of states within Europe. In this post-Cold War system, states may be less constrained; however, they may also be less secure. This class will explore a number of the new challenges faced by the various states in Western Europe. Europe is undergoing a grand experiment that, whether successful or not, will impact the lives of all Americans.

Although we will cover some of the historic events since 1945 that have created today's Europe, this is not a comprehensive survey of European diplomatic history. The first half of the course will provide an overview of the events which led to the creation of the European Union. The text book will provide you the necessary historical background you will need to understand the lectures.

The second half of the course will concentrate on current issues which dominate European foreign policy. The issues include the quest for a common security and foreign policy, migration, the creation of a common currency and the interaction of domestic and foreign policy.

Attendance is mandatory. I am available for consultation during office hours. It is easier if you'd request a specific appointment via e-mail. If that is not possible, feel free to call me by phone (405-0325) or drop by the office (HSS 133.)

The class will require a research paper at least 12 pages in length dealing with a current European security or foreign policy issue.

Grading

My limited teaching experience has, unfortunately, led me to conclude that the threat of spot quizzes and examinations is necessary to make sure that students do the required reading and group presentations. So be it.

YOU ARE FORWARNED THAT I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO GIVE POP QUIZZES. IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED FOR CLASS, YOU MUST TELL ME IN ADVANCE OF A QUIZ.

Grades will be assigned as follows:

Quizzes 20% Mid-term Exam 20% Research Paper 30% Final Exam 30%

Class Schedule and Readings

All reading assignments refer to the text, A Political History of Western Europe Since 1945.

Week 1 (1/29-31) Introduction to the course
Reading Chapter 1-2

Week 2 (2/5-7) The End of World War II and The Beginning of the Cold War
Reading: Chapters 3 and 5

Week 3 (2/12-14) The "German Problem"
Reading Chapter 6

Week 4 (2/19-21) Early Moves Toward Union
Reading Chapters 7 and 9

Week 5(2/26-28) Better Times, New Policies
Reading: Chapters 11-12

Week 6 (3/5-7) America, NATO and the Warsaw Pac
Reading Chapters 13 and 16

Week 7 (3/12-14) The End of the Cold War, Europe United
Reading Chapter 14 and 15

Week 8 (3/26-28) Changing Europe
Reading Chapters 17-18
Mid Term Exam (March 28)

Week 9 (4/2-4) The European Union: Nuts and Bolts

Week 10 (4/16-18) Euroskeptics: Problems Ahead
Reading Chapter 19

Week 11 (4/23-25) How Does One Define Europe? Who's In, Who’s Out
Reading Chapter 20

Week 12 (4/30-5/2) The European Union and the United States
Reading Chapter 21

Week 13 (5/7-9) A United States of Europe?
Reading Chapter 22

Week 14 (5/14-16) Is There a European Foreign Policy? Final Paper Due

Week 15 Final Exam TBA

IT IS VITAL THAT YOU UNDERTAKE THE REQUIRED READING! The lectures will not be a "rehash" of the printed text. Both readings and lectures will be the subject of quizzes and examinations.

I often invite several senior European diplomats (Consuls-General who represent their governments here in San Francisco) to speak to the class. Attendance is mandatory for these sessions, and students are expected to take an active role in questions and answers with the guest speaker.

Finally, I have several pet peeves, one of which is the need for punctuality. Since this is a day course I assume that all of you are present on campus on Mondays and Wednesdays. I expect you to be on time and will take lateness into account in assessing your performance.

This course fulfills the following Segment III GE  Cluster: America and World Affairs. Students will not receive Segment III credit for the course unless they complete the Cluster as outlined in the Class Schedule and Bulletin, including the requirement that they must have earned 60 units by the end of the Spring 2000 semester.