European Union Law
MODULE CODE
CREDIT VALUE
Module Aims
Aim 1
Explore the origins, development and constitutional foundation of the European Union and the applicability and enforcement of European Union Law, using relevant research skills and legal databases and to apply these to hypothetical scenarios to produce persuasive legal arguments and reasoned conclusions in both oral and written form
Aim 2
Examine the constitutional foundations of the European Union
Aim 3
Outline the main areas of EU substantive law and emphasise the pervasive presence of EU law.
Aim 4
Evaluate the main procedures for EU law making and critically assess the democratic credentials of EU power brokers.
Aim 5
Assess the effectiveness of the centralised and de-centralised mechanisms for the enforcement of EU law.
Aim 6
Analyse landmark judicial interpretations of the EU foundation Treaties.
Aim 7
Examine the contribution of national courts to the effectiveness of the EU legal order.
Aim 8
Develop students’ ability to interpret, evaluate and apply case law, legislation and academic commentary in this area and to communicate their understanding and analyses both orally and in writing.
Aim 9
Promote the use of electronic resources in the research and presentation of workshop activities, online quizzes, and examination answers.
Module Content
- Introduction to EU Law: Treaties and Terminology
- European Union: Scope of the Treaties
- The Internal Market and the Four Freedoms
- Treaty Reform, Democracy and EU Law Making
- The Commission as Law Enforcer: Infringement Proceedings Against Member States
- The Supremacy of EU Law – Its Status Within The Member States
- The Court of Justice and National Courts: The Preliminary Reference Procedure
- Enforcing EU Law Before The National Courts: Direct Effect
- Enforcing EU Law Before The National Courts: The Doctrine of Consistent Interpretation (The Von Colson Principle of Indirect Effect)
- Enforcing EU Law Before The National Courts: The Francovich I principle
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:
Teaching Methods
The module will utilise a variety of learning strategies designed to place the student at the centre of the learning process. Student learning will be encouraged by participation and independent research as well as by enhancing problem solving and analytical skills. Delivery will be organised around lectures and workshops. Lectures will introduce new legal ideas and concepts and build an outline of the structure of legal rules and principles. Further reading of cases and statutes in secondary and primary legal sources will consolidate and expand the breadth of knowledge and depth of understanding. Small group workshops will allow students to test their level and range of understanding and reflect formatively on areas of strength and weakness. Workshops will also develop and support general legal techniques and skills in support of legal reading, analysis, writing, drafting and note taking, legal problem solving through IRAC type techniques, as well as test formative knowledge and understanding. Summative assessment will focus on the accuracy of synoptic knowledge across the whole syllabus and evaluate legal problem-solving skills and the ability to create structured legal arguments that draw reasoned conclusions through factual scenarios that raise key legal issues from the syllabus. Module support materials (lecture outlines lecture recordings, Office Mix presentations, Power-point slides, workshop questions, cases, case materials, technique and skills materials, exemplar assessments) will be located on a dedicated module virtual learning environment, which will also be used as the repository for assessment submission, student communication, and e-discussion boards.
Assessment Methods
This module is assessed through one Written Assignment and one Examination.
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Compulsory
Optional
