The main topic of this IP "Labour movements and corporate location strategies within EU" had already been identified and stressed by the partners in a previous IP proposal (February 2004) as a component of a more general theme (EU in a globalised world). This topic concerns in priority our partners from Poland, Slovakia and Romania involved in the Coimbra group. But it is also of high interest for western European economies confronted with innovative corporate strategies of relocation (even small and middle size firms) and their consequences on the different local territories. It is of interest for every partner confronted with new migrations and population movements within EU. We do feel that this type of issue is not usually fully approached within the traditional courses on European economics on the one hand, industrial or labour economics on the other hand, and therefore requires some form of teaching which joins these different disciplines.
This IP intends to complement the courses already followed by the students in their own university, on the topics of European Integration. It specifically aims at drawing the students' attention on the ongoing process of economic activities relocation and labour movements within the enlarged European Union. After attending this IP, the students should be able to consider leading some research work on the topic or joining a professional level 5 training on European industrial economics or local development. A joint pedagogical purpose of the IP is to foster their ability to write and present a survey type paper in English.
The direct beneficiaries of the project are normally students of the Master Degree in Economics (having completed their 4th year in University and supposed to be starting their 5th year). In some cases, students having completed their 5th year and considering a PhD may also be selected if this is more coherent with the academic necessities of the partners.
The subjects that will be taught in the IP are partly integrated in the curricular programme of several disciplines (mainly European Economics, Labour Economics, Industrial Economics) in the Master Degree of the different Universities involved. But the IP is supposed to enrich these different programs. The first added value will consist in preparing new lectures and transversal pedagogical tools on the basis of this background. The IP will be organised in lectures, workshops, round tables and conferences. Professors will have written their lectures for the IP and prepared specific pedagogical materials (slides for most of them), using the means of their own university. These pedagogical materials will be available on the IP web site (especially settled for this program by the University of Poitiers) at least two weeks before the IP starts.
The workshops will be animated by the students (under professors supervision). The groups of students (two or three students for each paper) will present their own paper during 20 minutes and answer the questions of the audience. This debate will be organised in the following way : two or three students from the audience will be asked by the present Professor to raise two discussion points at least. To allow this functioning, short papers (2-3 pages) given by the presenting group before the IP starts, will have been read by the other students in advance.
Round tables and conferences will also be organised to get the point of view of outside experts. Moreover, on the first evening an "ice-breaker" meeting will be organised. Cultural events will also be proposed on Saturday and on a few evenings.
Most pedagogical materials will be available at the IP website homepage before the IP starts. This will allow students from the different universities to read other students' short papers. Professors' slides will also be available in the same conditions. Moreover, written texts of the different lectures and conferences will be given to the students on a day to day basis during the IP. All the main pedagogical materials will be written in English. In case a new document would be delivered, during a lecture or conference, in an other language, a developed abstract in English would be available. The IP includes at the end the delivery of an assessment enquiry filled in by the students. There is also at the very end an assessment with students and professors where the results of the enquiries are publicised and discussed.
Students work and students assessment
The students' performance in the IP will be assessed by an ad hoc professors' committee on the basis of three marks equally weighted : one for their paper (8-10 pages), one for their participation, one for their participation in the workshops debates when requested. The IP is equivalent to a semestral course in every participating university and the final grade is awarded in accordance to the ECTS rules (normally five ECTS credits). The students usually keep the choice to decide which course of their 4th year curriculum is to be replaced by the IP.
Concerning pedagogical methods, apart from relying on lectures by professors, the core of the IP will consist in papers presentation by groups of two to three students. We want to emphasize the role of scientific discussion of the papers in the students training. The use of powerpoint slides, of internet information about E.U. and national economies will be strongly encouraged.
Altogether, ten general or theoretical lectures will be proposed, some of them being divided between two professors (see full timetable thereafter). Starting with a general overview of European integration in the context of globalisation (part 1), the program will then introduce the students to the stylised facts of the chosen topic (part 2) before attempting a more theoretical economic analysis of these facts (part 3). The program will study relevant European policies and draw some perspectives within the framework of the Lisbon process (part 4).