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COURSES

European Economic Integration

This course analyses, within an economic framework, the history, the institutions and the policy of the EU. It builds upon the knowledge acquired in a solid introductory course on Economics (covering the most important macro and microeconomic principles)

About the course

Content

Module 1:

  • PART I: HISTORY, FACTS AND INSTITUTIONS
    • History, Facts, law, institutions and the budget
    • Decision making
  • PART II: THE MICROECONOMICS OF ECONOMIC INTEGRATION
    • Essential microeconomic tools
    • The essential economics of preferential liberalisation
    • Market size and scale effects
    • Growth effects and factor market integration
    • Economic integration, labour markets and migration
  • PART III: EU MICRO POLICIES
    • The Common Agricultural Policy
    • Location effects, economic geography and regional policy
    • EU competition and state aid policy
    • EU trade policy

Module 2: Topical Group Work

Learning outcomes

  1. To interpret the efficiency and allocation of (European) decision-making
  2. To interpret the trade-effects of economic integration migration
  3. To interpret the effects of economic integration on growth, labour markets
  4. To interpret different policy areas of the EU: common agricultural policy, regional policy, competition policy and external trade policy.
  5. To be able to translate theoretical concepts to causal empirical validation
  6. To analyse the impact of new developments in the European integration
  7. Retrieval and process data in group using empirical analysis (Module 2 only)
  8. Incorporate own research findings a research paper in collaboration with group members (Module 2 only)
  9. Construct the theoretical concepts and arguments in English

Teaching methods

Group work, Lecture, Independent work

Assessment

Assessment moments: end-of-term and continuous assessment

Examination methods in case of end-of-term assessment during the first examination period: Written Assessment

Examination methods in case of continuous assessment: Presentation, Peer and/or self assessment, Assignment

Possibilities of retake in case of continuous assessment: Examination during the second examination period is not possible

Extra information on the examination methods: -

Merlevede, Bruno: Lecturer-in-Charge 

Course dates

This course takes place in the second semester of academic year 2026-2027: 

  • Educational activities: 08/02 - 15/05 
  • Easter recess: 29/03 – 10/04 
  • Catch-up activities: 17/05 – 22/05 
  • Examination period: 24/05 – 03/07 
  • Resit examination period: 16/08 – 18/09 

Entry requirements: Knowledge of the most important macro- and microeconomic principles and at least an elementary background in statistics

Type: virtual course

Level: Bachelor, Master

Host: Ghent University

Focus area: Digitalisation

Study field: Economics and Law

Course dates: Feb 8, 2027 – July 3, 2027

Apply by: 18 January 2027

ECTS: 4

Registration status: Open