Module Title: | European Union Law |
Language of Instruction: | English |
Module Delivered In |
No Programmes
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Teaching & Learning Strategies: |
Lectures - communication of knowledge and ideas from the lecturer to the student.
Problem Solving Exercises - the students will work as part of a team and will work together to resolve various legal scenarios.
Class Discussion/Debate - Students will be encouraged to actively participate in the class sessions which will develop their analytical and communication skills.
E-Learning - It is envisaged that the module will be supported with on-line learning materials.
Self-Direct Independent Learning - the emphasis on independent learning will develop a strong and autonomous work and learning practices. |
Module Aim: |
The aim of this module is to provide students with an understanding of: (i) the Constitution and Institutions of the European Union and, in particular, the constitutional principles, the administrative and procedural law, and substantive law and policies of the European Union (ii) the relationship between European Union law and national law; the principles of supremacy and direct effect, and the principles of interpretation and State liability (iii) the role and jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice concerning enforcement, preliminary rulings and judicial review (iv) substantive European Union law through the study of the free movement of goods and persons; competition policy; social policy; equality of treatment and pay in employment and cooperation in criminal matters.
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Learning Outcomes |
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to: |
LO1 |
An understanding of the historical economic and political development of the EU |
LO2 |
Demonstrate an understanding of the constitutional framework, powers and decision making processes of the institutions of the EU |
LO3 |
Demonstrate a sound understanding of substantive EU law, both conceptually and in application |
LO4 |
Identify the relevance of EU law as an element in any dispute or potential litigation. |
LO5 |
Identify trends in EU principles and policies and evaluate the role played by substantive rules of EU law in determining and implementing such principles and policies |
LO6 |
Apply the rules and principles of EU law to realistic problem situations |
LO7 |
Analyse the impact of EU law on national legal systems |
LO8 |
Access and use paper and electronic primary sources relating to the substantive law and the legal framework of the European Union |
Pre-requisite learning |
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
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No recommendations listed |
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. |
No incompatible modules listed |
Co-requisite Modules
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No Co-requisite modules listed |
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. |
No requirements listed |
Module Content & Assessment
Indicative Content |
History and development of the European Union (3%)
• Early Development of the European Communities
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The Institutions of the European Union: Composition and Powers (10%)
• The Commission
• The Council of Ministers
• The European Council
• The European Parliament
• Other Institutions: The Court of Auditors; The Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee
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European Union Lawmaking (8%)
• Allocation of Legislative Procedures and Functions
• European Union Legislation
• EU Legislative Procedures
• Enhanced Cooperation
• Comitology
• The Legislative Process and the 'Democratic Deficit'
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The EU Judicial Order (10%)
• The Court of Justice of the European Union (The Court of Justice, the General Court, The European Union Civil Service Tribunal)
• Architecture EU Judicial Order
• The Preliminary Reference Procedure
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The Principle of Supremacy of EU Law (7%)
• The Sovereignty of EU Law and Domestic Constitutional Settlements
• The Primacy of EU Law: Substantive and Jurisdictional Conflicts
• The Quality and Limits of EU Legal Authority
• The Fidelity Principle
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Fundamental Rights and General Principles of Law (4%)
• The Development of General Principles
• Relationship between the EU and the ECHR
• EU Fundamental Rights Law
• Standard of Protection of Fundamental Rights
• EU Fundamental Rights Policy
• Rules of Administrative Justice, Equality, Subsidiarity and Proportionality, Effectiveness, General Principles Applied to National Legislation
• Governance
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Rights and Remedies in National Courts (8%)
• The Doctrine of Direct Effect
• Indirect Effect
• State Liability
• Principle of 'Equivalence'
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Direct Actions in the Court of Justice of the European Union (10%)
• Enforcement actions against Member States
• Enforcement actions by the Commission
• Enforcement actions brought by Member States
• Action for annulment
• Action for failure to act
• Plea of illegality
• Non-contractual liability (EU liability in damages)
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EU Citizenship (4%)
• The evolution and nature of EU citizenship
• The right to move and reside within the Union
• Political rights of EU citizens
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Discrimination (3%)
• Meaning, defences and remedies
• EU equal opportunities law
• Equality grounds
• The scope of EU equal opportunities policy
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Introduction to EU Criminal Law (2%)
• Internal security
• Judicial cooperation in criminal matters
• Harmonisation of criminal law
• Police cooperation
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The Internal Market (3%)
• Purpose of the internal market
• Legal framework and legal basis for legislation
• Techniques of regulation
• Non-economic interests and internal market
• Regulatory competition
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Introduction to Economic and Monetary Union (3%)
• The architecture of economic and monetary union
• Institutions: the European Central Bank and the European System of Central Banks
• The excessive deficit procedure
• Economic surveillance and the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines
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The Four Freedoms (15%)
• Free movement of goods
• Free movement of persons
• Free movement of services
• Free movement of capital
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EU Competition Law (10%)
• Aims of EU competition law
• Prohibition of anti-competitive agreements, decisions, and concerted practices
• Abuse of a dominant position • Enforcement
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Assessment Breakdown | % |
Continuous Assessment | 40.00% |
End of Module Formal Examination | 60.00% |
Continuous Assessment |
Assessment Type |
Assessment Description |
Outcome addressed |
% of total |
Assessment Date |
Case Studies |
A written examination which will be given in term one and will require candidates to apply their knowledge and problem-solving skills in answering one or more essay and/or problem question(s). |
1,2,3,4,6 |
20.00 |
n/a |
Project |
An essay question or hypothetical problem question to be given in term one or term two, separate from or in conjunction with the first continuous assessment. Students will be required to research the issues involved in accordance with defined instructions, and present their findings or proposals, or both, in writing, orally or both. |
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 |
20.00 |
n/a |
End of Module Formal Examination |
Assessment Type |
Assessment Description |
Outcome addressed |
% of total |
Assessment Date |
Formal Exam |
End-of-Semester Final Examination |
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 |
60.00 |
End-of-Semester |
SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
Module Workload
Workload: Full Time |
Workload Type |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
Lecture |
Every Week |
3.00 |
Independent Learning Time |
Every Week |
9.00 |
Total Hours |
12.00 |
Workload: Part Time |
Workload Type |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
Lecture |
Every Week |
1.50 |
Total Hours |
1.50 |
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