Introduction to European Union law

Teacher(s)

Desaunettes Luc;

Language

French

Main themes

This course is an introduction to EU law for students enrolled in politics, economics or social policy programmes. It provides an introduction to what the European Union does for its citizens and for companies (internal market, citizenship). It examines in more detail the principles governing the functioning of the European Union, and its values. Students learn how the EU’s rules and legislation are adopted, but also which European and national stakeholders are involved in creating these laws. They then discover how EU law is applied and by whom. This course provides the basic tools for understanding the institutional and regulatory framework within in which EU policies are developed. These technical issues are analysed, with a particular focus on their political, economic and social ramifications.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	to understand and properly apply the basic legal concepts underlying EU law, particularly those used to describe the institutions and differentiate between the various EU legal texts
2	to present, accurately, the major principles governing the elaboration of EU law, the mechanisms used to implement EU law in the Member States, as well as the interpretation techniques applicable to European law
3	to recognise whether, in a straightforward situation, these principles have been respected
4	to know whether a particular issue is dealt with at European or national level, and to identify which institutions or which actors have the power to change a situation in which national law is contrary to European law
5	to locate, in the Treaties, secondary legislation and in the case law seen during the course, the rules governing various similar situations
6	to understand the main societal issues underlying questions relating to EU law.

Content

This course is an introduction to European Union law. The following topics are covered:

• the legal foundations of European integration
• how the European institutions function
• the powers of the European Union
• the sources of EU law
• protection of fundamental rights in EU law
• the principles of the internal market and European citizenship
• an overview of some EU policies
• judicial review of EU legislation.

Evaluation methods

Written exam based on open questions inviting students to demonstrate their knowledge of the course and their ability to reason.

Faculty or entity

EURO