SPS510 History and Theory of the European Integrations
SPS510 History and Theory of the European Integrations
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on May 05, 2026
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Department of International Relations and Public Administration
Hamza Preljević
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
The course aims to provide students with advanced knowledge of the historical development and theoretical foundations of European integration. Students will engage in critical evaluation of key scholarly debates, examining both historical processes and contemporary institutional arrangements. The course emphasizes the ability to integrate political, economic, and legal perspectives into comprehensive frameworks for understanding European integration. Through applied case analyses, simulations, and research projects, students will examine complex institutional and policy dynamics, apply theoretical insights to contemporary challenges, and design informed strategies to address regional integration issues. Additionally, students will conduct independent research and construct theoretically grounded arguments, reflecting critically on the relevance of theory to professional and policy contexts.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
McCormick, J. (2022). Understanding the European Union: A concise introduction (8th ed.). Bloomsbury Academic. (Original work published 1999); Cini, M. & Borragán, N.P-S. (2022). European Union Politics. Oxford University Press. 7th edition; Nugent, N. (2017). The government and politics of the European Union (8th ed.). Palgrave.
Additional Literature
Selected articles, book chapters, and official documents to be provided on Teams groups (file - required reading).Teaching Methods
This course employs a range of teaching and learning methods such as lecturing
Written assignments
Presentations
Reading analysis and group debates.
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Course Introduction and Foundations | View course details |
| 2 | Post-War European Integration: 1945–1970s | View course details |
| 3 | Key Theoretical Approaches I: Neofunctionalism and Intergovernmentalism | View course details |
| 4 | Key Theoretical Approaches II: Constructivism and Institutionalism | View course details |
| 5 | European Union Institutions: Roles and Functions | View course details |
| 6 | Policy-Making in the EU | View course details |
| 7 | Economic Integration and the Single Market | View course details |
| 8 | MIDTERM EXAM | All above |
| 9 | Movie review | View course details |
| 10 | EU Enlargement and International Relations | View course details |
| 11 | Security and Foreign Policy Developments | View course details |
| 12 | Social Policy, Human Rights, and Environmental Initiatives | View course details |
| 13 | Crisis Management and Institutional Response | View course details |
| 14 | Comparative Perspectives on European Integration | View course details |
| 15 | Final Project Presentations |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | 09:00 - 12:00 | B F1.31 | |
| Friday | 09:00 - 11:00 | B F1.31 |
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Midterm Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 and 4
Movie review and discussion
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 2
Facilitation
AI: Consult InstructorAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 2
Active participation
AI: Consult InstructorAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 2
Final Project
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 and 4
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lecture Hours
42 hours ⏳ (14 week × 3 h)
Participation
14 hours ⏳ (7 week × 2 h)
Home Study
28 hours ⏳ (14 week × 2 h)
Facilitation
6 hours ⏳ (1 week × 6 h)
Movie review and discussion
6 hours ⏳ (1 week × 6 h)
Final Project
24 hours ⏳ (6 week × 4 h)
Presentation
10 hours ⏳ (1 week × 10 h)
Midterm
20 hours ⏳ (5 week × 4 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [SPS510] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on May 05, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
Print Syllabus
Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| SPS510 | History and Theory of the European Integrations | 3 | 0 | 6 | ||||||
| Prerequisite | None | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Hamza Preljević | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Wednesday: 9:00-12:00 Friday: 9:00-11:00 |
|||||||
| hpreljevic@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | The course aims to provide students with advanced knowledge of the historical development and theoretical foundations of European integration. Students will engage in critical evaluation of key scholarly debates, examining both historical processes and contemporary institutional arrangements. The course emphasizes the ability to integrate political, economic, and legal perspectives into comprehensive frameworks for understanding European integration. Through applied case analyses, simulations, and research projects, students will examine complex institutional and policy dynamics, apply theoretical insights to contemporary challenges, and design informed strategies to address regional integration issues. Additionally, students will conduct independent research and construct theoretically grounded arguments, reflecting critically on the relevance of theory to professional and policy contexts. | |||||||||
| Textbook | McCormick, J. (2022). Understanding the European Union: A concise introduction (8th ed.). Bloomsbury Academic. (Original work published 1999); Cini, M. & Borragán, N.P-S. (2022). European Union Politics. Oxford University Press. 7th edition; Nugent, N. (2017). The government and politics of the European Union (8th ed.). Palgrave. | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
|||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | This course employs a range of teaching and learning methods such as lecturing, written assignments, presentations, reading analysis and group debates. | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Course Introduction and Foundations | View course details | ||||||||
| Week 2 | Post-War European Integration: 1945–1970s | View course details | ||||||||
| Week 3 | Key Theoretical Approaches I: Neofunctionalism and Intergovernmentalism | View course details | ||||||||
| Week 4 | Key Theoretical Approaches II: Constructivism and Institutionalism | View course details | ||||||||
| Week 5 | European Union Institutions: Roles and Functions | View course details | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Policy-Making in the EU | View course details | ||||||||
| Week 7 | Economic Integration and the Single Market | View course details | ||||||||
| Week 8 | MIDTERM EXAM | All above | ||||||||
| Week 9 | Movie review | View course details | ||||||||
| Week 10 | EU Enlargement and International Relations | View course details | ||||||||
| Week 11 | Security and Foreign Policy Developments | View course details | ||||||||
| Week 12 | Social Policy, Human Rights, and Environmental Initiatives | View course details | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Crisis Management and Institutional Response | View course details | ||||||||
| Week 14 | Comparative Perspectives on European Integration | View course details | ||||||||
| Week 15 | Final Project Presentations | |||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Midterm Exam | 1 | 30 | 1, 2, 3 and 4 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Movie review and discussion | 1 | 10 | 2 and 3 | Not Allowed | |
| Facilitation | 1 | 10 | 2 and 3 | Consult Instructor | |
| Active participation | 13 | 10 | 2 and 3 | Consult Instructor | |
| Final Project | 1 | 40 | 1,2,3 and 4 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture Hours | 3 | 14 | 42 | Participation | 2 | 7 | 14 | |||
| Home Study | 2 | 14 | 28 | Facilitation | 6 | 1 | 6 | |||
| Movie review and discussion | 6 | 1 | 6 | Final Project | 4 | 6 | 24 | |||
| Presentation | 10 | 1 | 10 | Midterm | 4 | 5 | 20 | |||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 15/05/2026 | |||||||||