Foundations of International and EU Law
MODULE CODE
CREDIT VALUE
Module Aims
Aim 1
This module is intended to set the foundations for International and EU Law, while explaining how these differ from and relate to each other. It moreover, covers the relationship between international and EU Law on the one hand and domestic legal systems on the other. It aims to outline who the actors of the two legal orders are, what their sources are and how each is implemented in practice.
Module Content
- The nature of international law
- The actors in international law – states and international institutions
- The sources of international law
- Specific areas of international law as case studies:
- a. International Human Rights Law
- b. International Criminal Law
- The enforcement of international law
- The history and constitutional foundations of the European Union
- The sources of European Union Law
- The central procedures for European Union law making
- The enforcement of European Union law through centralised and de-centralised mechanism
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:
Teaching Methods
The primary objective of the lectures is to provide an outline of the subject matter and a framework for its understanding which students can use as a base for their independent study directed to the requirements of the seminars. This session will also include within it, in addition to traditional lecture delivery, small group discussions feeding into reporting back to whole groups, live quiz sessions and other interactive exercises, guest lecturers, relevant video or other pre-recorded material plus discussion and other learning activities as appropriate.
Seminars (small group tutorials) take place weekly. The students build upon their understanding gained in the lecture session by reading specified cases, articles and appropriate textbooks in preparation for the seminars. The aims and learning outcomes of each individual seminar are clearly set out and students are encouraged to consider the short, self-help questions before talking the essay and problem question set for the group discussion.
Both assessments assist in the development of written communication skills and skills of analysis. They will give the student valuable individual feedback as to the degree of understanding of the course, especially how the various areas of law inter-relate. The student will also receive valuable guidance as to how his or her essay writing skills can be improved.
Assessment Methods
This module is assessed through two Written Assignments.
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Compulsory
Optional
