Course Objectives

• This course examines the social, cultural, political and economic changes affecting the UK and the other member states of the EU.
• It also assesses the debates about the future direction of the EU and places these in the context of Britain and the EU's respective on-going relations with the United States.
• Both the historical and global context will be covered.
• Special attention paid to relations with the USA.

Please note this course carries a £95 course fee, which covers a trip to Brussels to study EU politics and NATO in more depth.

Course Materials are listed below. Please log in to view these items. 

Course Comments

"The field trip to Brussels was great. It put everything we were learning into perspective and it was great hearing different perspectives on the international organisations." Anon., Fall 2009

"Profesor Cousins was extremely knowledgable and very explanatory. He took time to go into concepts thoroughly and cared if his stuents understood everything. He is very accessible and easy to talk to." Anon., Spring 2009

“This was an excellent overview of the EU and how it fits in a global context. I feel much better informed as to current European affairs after a quick month of classes. This class comes highly recommended.”  Megan Castellano, Spring 2008

“This class has dramatically enhanced my understanding of Britain and Europe, as well as world affairs. I feel it’s necessary for anyone interested in living in Britain and Europe.” Danielle Ryan, Fall 2008

Faculty Information

Dr Paul Cousins holds a PhD from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He has taught at a number of higher education institutions in his career, including Kingston Polytechnic, Canterbury Christ Church College, the University of Kent, the Open University and Goldsmiths College, London. Currently teaching politics, history and related areas, he has been with BU in London since it started over twenty years ago. From 1998 to 2007 he was Senior Tutor, advising the ResidentDirector on academic matters. He was Acting Resident Director in Dublin for a semester in 2005 and has worked with BU centres in Geneva, Paris, and Sydney. He has been a Member of the BU London Board since its establishment in 2007.

Course Syllabus and Materials

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