Basic EU Law, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The overall aim of the course is for the students to attain basic knowledge of the EU legal system. The course is broadly divided into three parts. The first part consists of a presentation of the historical background of the EU, its institutional structure, character of legal sources and the policy making process. The second part gives an overview of the substantive rights and obligations protected by EU law with a focus on the rules of the internal market The third and final part focuses on the enforcement of EU law vis-à-vis the Union, the Member States, and individuals. All aspects of this course, including the examination, are conducted in English.

Expected learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student shall:
• be familiar with the history and development of the European Union, the institutions of the European Union, the sources of EU law and the policy making process,
• be familiar with and able to apply central elements of substantive EU law,
• have knowledge of the extent and limits of the powers of the European Union, including central principles and the role of EU courts, the position, reception, and enforcement of EU law in the Member States, including central principles and the role of national and EU courts,
• be able to identify, explain, analyze and evaluate EU law as it has developed in the case law of the European Court of Justice and to apply that knowledge and those abilities to concrete situations.

Required Knowledge

General qualifications for university studies.

Form of instruction

The course includes some lectures but also many seminars where students in groups and together with a teacher discuss different topics of EU law. It is therefore necessary that students study assigned materials before each class, including cases, relevant EU legislation and textbook chapters and/or academic articles. Further instructions on the preparation requirements for each class will be handed out to the student at the beginning of the course. The course is taught in English and all materials used in the course are in the English language.
A student who has been accepted and registered for the course has the right to teaching and guidance only during the term/academic year when he/she was accepted and registered.

Transfers
Students have the right to apply to have a previous education or experience evaluated for transfer of credits. For more information, see:
www.umu.se/studentcentrum/regler_riktlinjer/index.html

Examination modes

There will be a written test (at the University) at the end of the course, comprising 100 % of the grade of the course. On the written test the grades awarded are Fail (U), Pass (G) and Pass with distinction (VG). For the course as a whole the grade awarded are Fail (U), Pass (G) and Pass with distinction (VG). The grade for the course as a whole is based on the result of the written test.
The appointed examiner may decide to use other forms of examination if required by particular circumstances.
A student who has not received a passing grade on a test will be afforded an opportunity for re-examination. A student who has passed examination may not be re-examined.
A student who has taken two tests for a course or segment of a course, without passing, has the right to have another examiner appointed, unless special reasons exist. A written request for change of examiner is submitted to the Director of Undergraduate Education.

Other regulations

The course cannot be included in a Diploma together with Grundläggande EU-rätt, 7,5 credits.