Admission requirements
Background in law and sufficient command of English (IELTS 6.5 or higher)
Description
European Union law is a vast and fascinating area of law, forming an integral part of the legal systems of its twenty-seven Member States. It is commonplace that almost seventy percent of all rules and regulations in force in the EU Member States have their origin in Brussels. Although one may doubt the exact figure, it is beyond doubt that EU law continues to grow, both in terms of its importance and the range of topics covered.
Many of you will have little or no prior knowledge of EU law. The course therefore starts off as an introductory course, giving you the basics of European integration and the EU legal order. While it is not possible to cover all areas of EU law, the course aims at giving a more than thorough basis in both institutional and substantive EU law.
What is the role of the European Commission, why is the EU legal order unique in its kind, how has the EU developed from a 6-member Community for Coal and Steel towards the Union of 27 we know today, covering a very broad range of areas? Can you establish yourself as a lawyer in other EU-Member States, can your family join, can your children get study grants? What are the rules behind French cheese, Belgian chocolate, Spanish wine and Swedish bread? These are just some of the issues which will be dealt with throughout this course.
Through weekly assignments and class discussions, students will get a practical grasp of EU law and will learn to work with the EU treaties and secondary EU legislation. Students will learn to read and analyze cases from the European Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and study some of its most important judgments.
Course objectives
Objectives of the course:
To give an overview of the constitutional development, institutional setting and functioning of the EU. To understand the nature and application of EU law.
To understand the functioning of the internal market.
Overall, to understand the development of the Union and EU law through the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Achievement levels:
The following achievement levels apply with regard to the course: *At the end of this course, students will have a thorough understanding of the EU institutions, of the nature and application of EU law, as well as of the internal market. They will be familiar with the landmark judgments of the CJEU and will be able to apply their knowledge in practical cases.
Timetable
The timetable of this course can be found in uSis.
Mode of delivery
Lectures
Number of lectures: The course will take place over ten weeks with two classes per week. Each lecture lasts two hours and they will be very interactive. The lecturer will discuss with students the assigned reading materials and students will present cases which have been assigned previously.
Names of lecturers:
Required preparation by students: Students should read carefully all assigned reading materials and cases. They should actively participate in discussion. They will also be required to submit weekly written assignments on case studies concerning practical issues of EU law.
Assessment
Examination form(s)
Written exam
Written assignments
Submission procedures
Assignment will be submitted through blackboard
Areas to be tested within the exam
The examination syllabus consists of the required reading (literature) for the course, the course information guide and the subjects taught in the lectures, the seminars and all other instructions which are part of the course.
Blackboard
Course materials are contained in the reader and on Blackboard, which is the faculty’s e-learning environment. On the specific course site you may find additional information of an organisational nature as well as references to new judgments and other developments. Blackboard will also give you an opportunity to ask questions.
Reading list
Obligatory course materials
Literature:
- J. Fairhurst, ‘Law of the European Union’, 8th edition, 2010, Pearson Education
Course Information Guide/Reader:
- Reader will be available before the start of the course
Recommended course materials:
- Blackstone’s EU Treaties & Legislation 2011-2012, Oxford University Press
How to apply
Students have to register for courses and exams through uSis.
Contact details
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Institution/division
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