EU Constitutional Law, 15 Credits

Contents

- The legal nature of international organizations
- General political science with comparative constitutional law
- Constitutional aspects of the European Union
- Distribution of power and functions between the EU and its member states
- Distribution of power and functions between the institutions of the EU
- Constitutional aspects of external relations
- EU citizenship and protection of fundamental rights
- Enforcement of law and the constitutional role of the European Court of Justice.

Expected learning outcomes

At the end of the course the students shall have
- an understanding of the impact of political and economic processes on legal decisions in 
   international organizations
- ability to analyze constitutional law problems against the backdrop of political science
- in-depth knowledge of the quasi-federal nature of the European Union
- advanced and profound knowledge of horizontal and vertical balance of power in the 
  European Union
- advanced knowledge of enforcement of EU law and constitutional review by courts
- be able to analyse in depth and argue in written and orally for solutions to constitutional problems posed by constitutional projects for the European Union.

Required Knowledge

90 cr (higher education credits) in a social sciences field, including an individual written assignment carrying at least 15 cr, and Grundläggande EU-rätt, 7,5 cr (alternatively Basic EU Law, 7,5 cr), or 120 cr on the Law Programme with a minimum grade of `Pass´ on the first semester, or equivalent qualifications. Please note that the courses Grundläggande EU-rätt, 7,5 cr or Basic EU-Law, 7,5 cr may be included in the 90-credit requirement mentioned above.

Form of instruction

The instruction is in the form of lectures and seminars. Presence at the seminars is compulsory. The students are supposed to prepare assignments for the seminars and be active. The teacher responsible for the course may grant dispensations.
The language of the course including its literature is English.
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.

Examination modes

Examination on the course consists of a written take home exam and compulsory course elements. The teacher responsible for the course informs about the form of exam at the start of the course. On the written take home exam the grades awarded are Fail (U), Pass (G) and Pass with distinction (VG). On compulsory course elements the grades awarded are Fail (U) and Pass (G). In addition, some seminar assignments render credit points that will be added to the result of the written take home exam. For the course as a whole the grade awarded are Fail (U), Pass (G) and Pass with distinction (VG). A passing grade on the written take home exam and on all compulsory course elements is required to receive a passing grade for the course as a whole. The grade for the course as a whole is based on the result of the written take home exam with the addition of credit points rendered by seminar assignments and awarded after the completion of all compulsory course elements.
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.

Transfers
Students have the right to apply to have a previous education or experience evaluated for transfer of credits. For more information, see:
http://www.umu.se/utbildning/antagning/tillgodoraknande/