Objectives of the course
First, the course aims to give students insight into the law of the EU concerning EU citizenship and the fundamental principles of equality and non-discrimination (on various grounds, e.g nationality, race, religion, gender, etc). We also seek to familiarize students with the way the EU law in this field is applied in practice, particularly in the way it is elaborated in the case law of the European Court of Justice (ECJ). Students will also learn about the interplay between the EU legal system and the protection of human rights at the level of the UN and the Council of Europe.
The second goal of the practicum is to give students an opportunity to train their practical skills as a lawyer. That is why we choose to offer this practicum in the format of a moot court.
Short description of the course
This practicum provides the students with a thorough understanding of the concept of EU Citizenship and the fundamental principles of equality and non-discrimination, and the way in which this concept and these principles have been implemented in EU legislation and case law. Special attention will be given to the interplay between EU norms and (other) human rights standards (at the UN and Council of Europe level).
Students will be required to write papers in preparation of moot court sessions, to train their research and writing skills. Furthermore, they will be asked to give presentations in the role of applicant, defendant, AG or Court and will thereby practice their oral presentation skills.
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 concept of EU-citizenship and the application of the principles of equality and of non-discrimination in the EU;
have conducted independent research in the area of EU Citizenship Law and Non-Discrimination Law and practiced their oral and writing skills by giving oral presentations and handing in a number of papers.
Coördinator
Name: Rikki Holtmaat
Work address: Steenschuur 25, Room B 1.28
Contact information: Office open for inquiries: Wednesdays 10.00 – 11.00
Telephone number: 071 – 527 7740
E-mail: h.m.t.holtmaat@law.leidenuniv.nl
Departement/division
Department: Public Law
Division: European law
Room number secretariat: B 1.19
Opening hours: Mon – Fri, 9.00 – 17.00
Telephone number secretariat: 071 – 527 7760
E-mail: f.p.oldenhof@law.leidenuniv.nl
Onderwijsvormen
Lectures
In the first weeks there will be an introductory lecture, intended to lay the foundation for the rest of the course. In the last week a final lecture will provide an overview of the subjects that were discussed during the course.
“Court sessions”
The heart of the practicum consists of 8 weeks, during which the students act in small groups as participants in courts session which will be held on the basis of fictional cases or cases that are pending before the ECJ. Each subgroup will act in turn as the Applicant, as the Defendant, as the AG or as the Court. In this role they submit papers and give oral presentations of their views on the case. To this end, the students will meet once a week during 2-4 hours in “court sessions” (depending on the case to be discussed). The students will have to conduct individual research (library and internet) when preparing their papers and presentations.
Total number of lectures and “court sessions”: 10 (4 hours each)
Other methods of instruction
Each paper will be carefully read, commented and graded. General remarks about the papers will be made in class; individual papers will be further discussed with the authors. The oral presentations (sometimes using power point) will be followed by a plenary discussion in class; individual feedback on presentation style and methods will be given afterwards.
Studiemateriaal
Obligatory course materials
Not applicable: students are required to collect the relevant materials themselves. Enhancing the students’ research skills is an important objective of the course.
Recommended course materials
A list of the most important books and articles will be posted on Blackboard.
Toetsing
Examination form(s)
4 papers
2 oral presentations
final paper
The 2 oral presentations and the 4 papers each account for 10% of the final grade. The final paper accounts for 30%, participation in class accounts for 10% of the final grade.
Submission procedures
For all practical and logistical information, see the reader and the Blackboard site.
Areas to be tested within the exam
Not applicable (there is no written exam). The final paper will test the individual student’s ability to write a coherent and sufficiently “academic” paper (since the other papers are the result of the teamwork of the subgroups).
Ingangseis
Bachelor degree in law and sufficient knowledge of English.
Rooster
The time table can be found at the following website: www.law.leidenuniv.nl
Inschrijving
Via u-twist.
Digitale leeromgeving
This course uses Blackboard (digital learning environment).
Bijzonderheden
NB: The students will have to choose between one of two practicums that are offered in the Masters in European Law. The other practicum is on the topic of competition law. The maximum number of students for each practicum is 16. Please make sure that you subscribe to the practicum of your preference timely!