Introduction to European Law

The aim of the course is to introduce the European Union (EU) to students with varied educational backgrounds and tracks specifically from the perspective of EU law, jurisprudence and administrative practice.

What is the aim of the course?

• The aim of the course is to introduce the European Union (EU) to students with varied educational backgrounds and tracks specifically from the perspective of EU law, jurisprudence and administrative practice.

• While economic or political circumstances around the EU are immensely relevant, the course shall focus on the EU taken as a legal organism operating through institutions and structured and conditioned by its unique legal order, including abundant legislation, case law and practices.

• In that respect, students should attain a general yet solid view of the legal rules that govern and frame the EU and its actions, for use either in further legal studies or practice or in different educational settings or careers.

1. Lecture 1: Origins and development of the European Union

1.1. Historical background

1.2. Major treaties and reforms

1.3. EU association, membership and suspension

1.4. Division of competence between the EU and the member states

2. Lecture 2: EU legal system – Part 1

2.1. Sources and hierarchy of EU law

2.2. Status of the EU in international law

2.3. Fundamental rules and human rights

3. Lecture 3: EU legal system – Part 2

3.1. EU current institutional framework

3.2. EU legislative process

4. Lecture 4: Enforcement and application of EU law – Part 1

4.1. Action for infringement of EU law

4.2. Action for annulment

4.3. Action for failure to act

4.4. Action for damages

4.5. Preliminary rulings

5. Lecture 5: Enforcement and application of EU law – Part 2

5.1. Interpretation of EU law

5.2. Relationship between EU and national law

5.2.1. Primacy

5.2.2. Direct effect

5.3. Enforcement of EU law before national authorities and courts

6. Lecture 6: Major policies of the European Union – Part 1

6.1. Internal market and economic freedoms

6.2. Competition

6.3. State aid

6.4. External trade

6.5. Financial markets

6.6. Taxation

7. Lecture 7: Major policies of the European Union – Part 2

7.1. Energy

7.2. Environment and climate Justice

7.3. Social policy

7.4. Consumer protection

7.5. Immigration

8. Lecture 8: Contemporary problems and outlook

8.1. Pending enlargements and Brexit

8.2. EU policies addressing climate change

8.3. EU foreign policy

8.4. Debate around the rule of law

8.5. Response to the COVID-19 pandemic

8.6. EU reaction to war in Ukraine

8.7. Challenges ahead

What students should know following completion of the course?

• It is intended that students should develop general understanding of the structure and functioning of the EU, as well as of the major substantial policies the EU currently implements. They should be able to explain and discuss the tools the EU has at its disposal, major areas of activity and its interaction with the member states and the international community. Students should also be able to discuss the EU’s potential and position to tackle various contemporary challenges.

• On this basis students should acquire knowledge as well as skills to be able to follow and further research specific areas of EU law and policy. For students with specific interest in law, the course should also provide a robust introduction into EU legal system and a basis for detailed study and practice.

• While the course is focused on the current status of EU institutions and policymaking, students should also become aware of the dynamic processes that shaped the EU through key historical milestones.

What are the requirements for students?

Students should:

• be present during the classes, including participation in workshops and exercises such as case studies,

• complete mandatory reading or tasks, if and as indicated in the classes,

• take the oral examination at the end of the course.

What are the pass/grading criteria?

• Students should pass an oral examination by responding to open questions involving not only technical knowledge discussed in the course, but also a more systemic and coherent outlook on the EU as such and the activities it undertakes.

• The major pass criterion will be a satisfactory result of the oral examination. However, active participation in classes, including engagement in optional work, will also be taken into account in the overall grade.