The module is an introduction both to the institutional structure and to key areas of substantive law of the European Union.
Teaching is by lecture and seminars. Students are encouraged to read a quality newspaper, the Economist and to keep abreast of developments in the EU regularly reported on all the main news broadcasts.
The advantage that EU law has over other areas of law is that the EU receives wide coverage in the media because there is no agreement over the direction the EU should be moving in, and no consensus on how the problems besetting it are to be resolved.
In order to understand the debate, students need to become familiar with the issues and the easiest way is to watch ‘Channel 4 News at 7pm’, ‘Question Time’ or ‘Newsnight’.
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
The basic concepts of direct effect, supremacy, and the creation of a rights-based law are considered.
The question of democratic accountability is raised in discussing the legislative roles of the European Commission, the Council of Ministers, the European Council and the European Parliament.
The functions, procedures and organisational structure of the Court of Justice and General Court are discussed with an emphasis on the role of the Court of Justice in the integration of the EU and of the General Court in providing judicial protection for individuals.
Some areas of substantive law will be studied, in particular, the free movement of goods.
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
P. Craig and G. de Burca: Text, Cases and Materials (Oxford, OUP, 2015)
D. Chalmers & Monti, European Union Law: Text and Materials (Cambridge, CUP, 2014)
C. Barnard & S. Peers, European Union Law (OUP, Oxford, 2014)
Steiner & Woods, EU Law (OUP, Oxford 2014)
View reading list on Talis Aspire
This module specifically looks at the European Union.
No subject specific skills defined for this module.
No transferable skills defined for this module.
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 18 sessions of 1 hour (12%) |
| Seminars | 7 sessions of 1 hour (5%) |
| Private study | 125 hours (83%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
No private study requirements defined for this module.
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3,000 word essay | 100% | No | |
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Students will write 3,000 words on one of three topics listed. |
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Feedback via Tabula.
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This module is Option list B for:
This module is Option list E for: