Topic 2: Governing the European Union

Lesson 1
Step #3: Application

Strategy: Problem Solving

Activities

Ask the students to review their Venn Diagrams with their group and to focus on differences on how the similarities and differences between how the United States government functions and how the European Union functions.

Make copies of Handout #6: Topic 2, Lesson 1 (What is Europe’s Telephone Number?) and distribute them to the class. Review the document with the class. Use the following question as a purpose question for their reading:

Why is “What is Europe’s telephone number?” such a good title for this article? Explain your answer.

Have the students refer to the example in the article describing the European Union’s reaction to the Iraqi War?

Ask them to predict what might have been the result of a unified response from the European Union to the Iraqi crisis.
Ask them what they would have done if they could have spoken as one voice for the European Union.

Printable Student View

Check for Understanding

FOCUS QUESTION #1: How is the European Union governed?

Have the students write a letter to a German student suggesting a change in how the European Union is governed that might make it more effective. Have them support their suggestion with data from their expert groups and from their Venn Diagrams.

Have them critique their letters within their groups. Have the best letter from each group presented and discussed in class.