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LAW40215: Introduction to European Union Law

It is possible that changes to modules or programmes might need to be made during the academic year, in response to the impact of Covid-19 and/or any further changes in public health advice.

Type Open
Level 4
Credits 15
Availability Available in 2023/24
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Law

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • The Community Legal Order (LAW53045)

Aims

  • the aim of this module is to provide a focussed overview of the fundamental principles of European Community law;
  • the module aims to provide a platform for further study or research into the more specialised areas of European Community law;
  • the module will be taught in such a way that it will enable students to acquire a proper grounding in basic principles, features and institutions of the European Community legal system.

Content

  • Sources of European Community law;
  • Relationship between European Community law and the national legal orders of the Member States;
  • Remedies for breach of European Community law before national course;
  • The competence of the Court of Justice of the European Communities.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • have an understanding of the structure, features and fundamental characteristics of the European Community legal order;
  • have an understanding of the role European Community law plays within the national legal orders of the Member States;
  • be able to explain the way in which rules and principles of European Community law are made and develop;
  • be able to demonstrate knowledge of the methods by which European Community law is implemented;
  • be able to recognise European Community law issues/problems and be able to construct arguments as to how these problems may be resolved.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Students will be acquainted with the constitutional core of the European integration project. They will be brought in contact with the key concepts in European law (supermacy, direct effect, competences, judicial cooperation), the main methodological assumptions underpinning the European legal order (autonomy, federal or sui generis nature) as well as the great jurisprudential milestones.

Key Skills:

  • Demonstrate the ability to undertake legal reseach using a variety of resources, including on-line resources;
  • Utilise research material to support and develop their analysis and critique of legal principles and institutions.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Lectures are designed to provide a structure for the module and to introduce basic principles and features of the European Community legal order.
  • Seminars will provide opportunity for the exploration and discussion of issues raised in lectures and in assigned readings.
  • Written work requires a demonstration of students' analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures2One at the beginning of the course, one at the end of the course24 
Seminars6Weekly, interspersed with some free weeks212 
Preparation and Reading134 
Total150 

Summative Assessment

Component: EssayComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Essay3000 words100 

Formative Assessment

One assigment of approximately 1000 words.

More information

If you have a question about Durham's modular degree programmes, please visit our Help page. If you have a question about modular programmes that is not covered by the Help page, or a query about the on-line Postgraduate Module Handbook, please contact us.

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Current Students: Please contact your department.