On the Didactics of Theoretical Approaches to European Integration in Political Science: A Pragmatic Overview

Based on a short discussion of the didactic function of social science theories and on an exemplary and “prototypical” approach to teaching at university, this article presents a basic curriculum on integration theories in political science. “Supranational”, “intergovernmental” and systemic perspectives on European integration are demonstrated by exemplary texts. The European Defence Community project of 1952 and the Fouchet Plans of 1961/62 are suggested as historical prototypes for a sustainable instruction on the fundamental ideas of traditional approaches of integration theory. Concerning the methodological realization in class an adapted version of the jigsaw method is recommended.

25.02.2007 | Ralph ROTTE (Aachen)