Description du cours

Intitulé de l'Unité d'Enseignement

European Economics

Code de l'Unité d'Enseignement

22MEP10

Année académique

2025 - 2026

Cycle

MASTER

Nombre de crédits

Nombre heures

Quadrimestre

Pondération

Site

Anjou

Langue d'enseignement

Anglais

Enseignant responsable

SALEH Ruba

Objectifs et contribution de l'Unité d'Enseignement au programme

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 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 analyze 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, 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 in product and factor markets.
o Labor market issues, including unemployment, upskilling and reskilling.
o The causes and consequences of the European sovereign debt crisis.
o The history of the European Monetary System and the Maastricht process.
o The complexities of European financial integration.

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.

Prérequis et corequis

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 during the course.

Description du contenu

Welcome to a course that goes beyond theory to tackle the most pressing challenges facing the European Union today. This is not a static view of the economy; it is a dynamic exploration of how Europe is navigating a world defined by turbulence.
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 a massive disruption in economic activity and sent shockwaves through energy and commodity markets.
Now, a new front has opened: a global economic tariffs war. Europe finds itself caught between major geopolitical powers, 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.
Against this backdrop of crisis and competition, the EU is committed to a monumental triple transition: a collective journey 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.
European Union economic trends and prospects (Ruba Saleh)
Sessions:

Session Date Theme
Session 1 18 September 2025 EU decarbonisation and competitiveness plan
Session 2 26 September 2025 Towards the full implementation of the Single Market
Session 3 02 October 2025 Matching Labour Policy with Industrial Strategy
Session 5 16 October 2025 EU new challenges
(Artificial intelligence, digitalisation, space & defence)
Session 6 23 October 2025 Strategic Governance for a New EU Economic Model
06 November 2025 Conference on EU career
Session 10 27 November 2025 Group pitch

European Monetary Union (Ivo Maes)
Sessions:
Session Date Theme
Session 4 9 October 2025 Course organization & Economic theory perceptions of EMU (OCA theory)
Session 8 13 November 2025 Philosophical approaches towards EMU: Early attempts at monetary integration
Session 9 20 November 2025 The European Monetary System. The Maastricht process and the structure of EMU
Session 11 11 December 2025 The 21st century debt crises. The covid crisis

12 December 2025 Visit to the National Bank of Belgium
Session 12 18 December 2025 Discussion briefing paper

Méthodes pédagogiques

This course adopts an interactive class setting and it incorporates the following elements:
- Lectures given by the lecturers and invited high-level experts
- Questions and interventions by the students, pitch 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. Students are also expected to participate in the visit to the National Bank of Belgium.

The conference series is a 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.

Mode d'évaluation

European Union economic trends and prospects (Ruba Saleh)

The assessment will be made based on conference 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 to one or both speakers. You are also expected to attend the conference on EU career.

Individual work (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.

An individual 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. Standard citations rules apply. Deadline 7 November 2025.

Group work (35%)
Students will create study groups of 4 people. Each group will choose to study one of the 11 topics addressed in the five conferences 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 & opportunities?
• Who is 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 young generation?
Powerpoint presentation deadline 24 November 2025.

European Economics AA macro economic context (Ruba Saleh):
You may use AI (ChatGPT & 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 for the production of your assignments which includes exploring a topic, finding relevant sources, translating a text or reformulate 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 using otherwise you will be graded down.

European Monetary Union (Ivo Maes)
The assessment will be made based on class participation (30%), written paper and presentation (40 %), forward looking paper (30 %).
The briefing paper should be between 700 and 800 words. The topic of the briefing paper will be announced on 20 November 2025, and the paper has to be handed in on 18 December 2025 (late submissions will not be accepted). The paper should be forward looking (30 %).

No use can be made of artificial intelligence for the drafting of the papers.

Références bibliographiques

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

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://www.ecb.europa.eu/home/html/index.en.html

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.
Ivo Maes, with Ilaria Pasotti, Robert Triffin: A Life, Preface by Jacques de Larosière, Oxford: Oxford University Press, February 2021.
Kenneth Dyson and Ivo Maes (eds.), Architects of the Euro. Intellectuals in the Making of European Monetary Union, Oxford University Press, August 2016.
Maes Ivo and Frank Moss (eds.), Progress through crisis?, ECB, 2014
Maes Ivo, Half a century of European financial integration, Mercatorfonds, 2007

Reports & essays:
OCDE (2023), OECD Economic Surveys: European Union and Euro Area 2023, Éditions OCDE, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/7ebe8cc3-en.
OCDE (2023), Towards a Triple Transition : Strategies for Transformational European Development Action, Éditions OCDE, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/094322ba-en.
European Economic and Social Committee (2023), What ways and means for a real strategic autonomy of the EU in the economic field?. Report
Ivo Maes, A Tale of Two Treatises: The Werner and Delors Reports and the Birth of the Euro, Bruegel Essay, February 2024. https://www.bruegel.org/system/files/2024-04/Essay%2001%202024.pdf