Course description

Title of the Teaching Unit

European Economics

Code of the Teaching Unit

22MEP60

Academic year

2026 - 2027

Cycle

Number of credits

Number of hours

Quarter

Weighting

Site

Anjou

Teaching language

English

Teacher in charge

GOUTSMEDT Aurélien

Objectives and contribution to the program

Welcome to a course that goes beyond theory to tackle the most pressing challenges facing the European Union today. We propose a dynamic exploration of how Europe is navigating a world defined by polycrisis.

In recent years, Europe has faced a succession of unprecedented external shocks. The COVID-19 pandemic shattered global supply chains and fundamentally altered the flow of goods and services. This was followed by the war in Ukraine, which not only triggered a humanitarian crisis but also ignited shockwaves through energy and commodity markets, resulting in double digit inflation in most European countries. Soaring gas prices and the journey towards replacing Russian energy supplies exposed the continent's vulnerability and forced a rapid, costly rethink of its energy security strategy. More recently, the war in Iran has added yet another layer of volatility, threatening critical oil and gas routes and reigniting fears of renewed energy price shocks just as Europe was working to stabilize its markets.

In addition, a new front has opened: a global economic tariffs war. Europe finds itself caught between major geopolitical powers, the US and China, forcing it to redefine its economic strategy to protect its industries and maintain its global standing. The European Competitiveness Compass has become the guiding star for this new reality, directing efforts to safeguard Europe's industrial future while moving towards a climate neutral continent in 2050, an economy with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Against this backdrop of crisis and competition, the EU is committed to a monumental triple transition toward a greener, more inclusive, and digital future. This requires not just bold ambition, but a comprehensive and coordinated effort to use every tool at its disposal. The decisions being made today will chart the course for the entire European project.

This course is designed to expose you to the key issues at the heart of this political-economic landscape, revealing how institutional decisions have a direct and tangible impact on your country and daily life.

We will delve into the critical aspects of European monetary integration and the actual functioning of the Economic and Monetary Union. Our approach is one of political economy, emphasizing the constant interplay between political and economic forces. This is essential to truly understand the multi-dimensional nature of the transfer of sovereignty, a process at the very core of the European integration project.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

- Critically Evaluate EU Policy: Develop the capacity to analyse and critique the core of EU monetary policies, moving beyond a superficial understanding to grasp their real-world consequences. This will sharpen both your oral and written communication skills.
- Contextualize Europe’s Role: Gain a deeper understanding of the EU’s position within a global context, including its response to major challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the war in Iran and the emerging global tariffs war. You will be encouraged to think globally and embrace an international perspective.
- Comprehend Daily-Life Economics: Understand the policies and regulatory measures that directly impact your life, from the costs of goods and services to job market opportunities.
- Master the Mechanics of Integration: Explore the complex process of economic and monetary integration within the European Union, including:
o The dynamics of trade.
o Labor market issues, including unemployment, upskilling and reskilling.
o The history of the European Monetary System and the Maastricht process.
o The challenges of energy transition and climate change mitigation.

1.1 AA CONTRIBUTION TO THE UE AND THE PROGRAM AND TARGETED LEARNING

OUTCOMES
Learning outcomes in terms of knowledge
At the end of the course, you should be able to:
? Understand EU economic challenges, priorities and their future repercussions
? Understand the ambitions and complexity of monetary and fiscal policies;
? Describe the five tackled issues at stake;
? Understand the EU economic weight at the international level;
? Understand the challenges of the single market;
? Meet professionals from the EU and strengthening your network

Learning outcomes in terms of skills
At the end of the course, you should be able to:
? Analyse critically European monetary policies and regulatory measures;
? Exchange with specialised high-level professionals;
? Compare the EU economic landscape to other global players;
? Write an essay about at least one of the tackled issues at stake;
? Suggest international co-operation that could avoid new dependencies and improve risk preparedness;
? Present a solution to the triple transition from the young generation perspective.

Prerequisites and corequisites

There are no specific requisites for this course. However, students are expected to be fluent in English and to have a basic knowledge of European history and to keep one’s knowledge up to date of current European affairs by reading regularly Politico or other European-oriented outlets during the course.

Content

Thursday 17 September, 15:00-18:00
European Economics (intro) + class
Thursday 24 September, 15:00-18:00
Class
Thursday 01 October, 15:00-18:00
Class
Thursday 08 October, 15:00-18:00
European Economics conference 1: EU defence and security
Thursday 15 October, 15:00-18:00
European Economics conference 2: Strategic autonomy and competitiveness
Thursday 22 October, 15:00-18:00
European Economics conference 3: Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence
Thursday 19 November, 15:00-18:00
European Economics conference 4: Energy Transition
Thursday 26 November, 15:00-18:00
European Economics conference 5: EU housing agenda
Thursday 10 December, 15:00-18:00
Debate: How to harmonize European values with global industrial leadership?
Thursday 17 December, 13:00-18:00
European Economics pitch:
What is your European economic priority and why?

Teaching methods

This course adopts an interactive class setting and it incorporates the following elements:
- Lectures given by the lecturers and invited high-level Eurocrats
- Questions and interventions by the students, pitches and discussions.
- Group work, debate, individual & collective reflections

Teaching activities are all in person. Presence and active participation in the course and conference series are compulsory.

The conference series is conceived as a dynamic gathering during which high-level Eurocrats share their opinions and views on economics trends and prospects and the main issues at stake in the European monetary union. It is a unique opportunity to learn from and exchange with such high-level experts. Make sure you make the best of this unique opportunity!

Assessment method

The assessment will be made based on class and conferences attendance and active participation (30%). Individual work (35%) and group work (35%).

Attendance and active participation (30%)
Before each conference, you are required to prepare between 1-3 questions for one or both speakers. You are also expected to attend the conference on EU career on Thursday November 12th at 16:00 room 431.

Individual assignment (35%)
Before each conference, you are required to read the proposed paper and make a list of the 3 most relevant topics. These topics will help you brainstorm with your peers during the group work before the conference.

You are requested to submit an individual assignment that mirrors your personal reflection on one or more of the multiple economic crises and challenges facing the EU and its repercussions on your country and your daily life. The maximum number of words is 1500. Your paper should follow APA style and standard citations rules apply. It is submitted to the AI policy of the course (see below). We expect to receive an academic paper encompassing the following:
-Title, your name, course title, date (page 1);
-Literature review or background
-Discussion
-Conclusions
-References list (starts on a new page after the text).
Deadline for submission: 4 December 2026.

Group work (35%)
Students will create study groups of 4 people. Each group will choose a European economic priority and prepare a final group pitch on the identified topic. The pitch should address the topic from your group’s perspective and answer the following questions:

• What is the issue at stake (your selected topic)?
• What are the key challenges and opportunities?
• Who are the target group(s) and stakeholders?
• What are the key policies/measure(s)?
• What works & what could be improved?
• What is in it for you as a young generation?
Slides presentation deadline 14 December 2026.

AI Policy
You may use AI (text generation & image generation tools) as long as it is conformed to ICHEC’s general guidelines. AI can be used for assisting you in gathering relevant information to produce your assignments which include exploring a topic, finding relevant sources, translating a text, or reformulating points seen in class. AI must not be used to generate text and content from scratch.
Please remember that:
- AI is a tool which you need to acknowledge.
- You may be asked to send prompts used and AI answer after evaluation of group works and individual assignments.
- You should master anything you have written and the slides you have elaborated.
Any failure to fulfil the conditions above will lead you to be graded down.

References

- Moodle: Announcements, Forum, class presentations, handouts & reading materials
-Wooclap and Miroboard

Useful links:
https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en
https://economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/economic-and-fiscal-governance/stability-and-growth-pact_en
https://finance.ec.europa.eu/capital-markets-union-and-financial-markets/capital-markets-union_en
https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/industry/transition-pathways_en
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/section/191/social-and-employment-policy
https://european-union.europa.eu/priorities-and-actions/actions-topic/trade_en
https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/strategy/strategy-research-and-innovation/europe-world/international-cooperation/strategic-autonomy-and-european-economic-and-research-security_en
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/eu-tech-sovereignty
https://www.ecb.europa.eu/home/html/index.en.html
https://housing.ec.europa.eu/index_en

Books:
Baldwin, Richard and Charles Wyplosz 2022, The Economics of European Integration, McGraw Hill.
Blanchard, Olivier and Alessia Amighini and Francesco Giavazzi, 2021, Macroeconomics: a European Perspective, Pearson Education Limited.
De Grauwe, Paul. 2018. Economics of Monetary Union. 12th edition. Oxford University Press.