Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2008-2009 (archived)

Module LAW53045: The Community Legal Order

Department: Law

LAW53045: The Community Legal Order

Type Open Level 4 Credits 45 Availability Available in 2008/09 Module Cap
Tied to

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • to provide an overview view of the fundamental principles of European Community law. The course aims to provide a platform for further study of or research into the more specialized aspects of European Community law. The course will be taught in such a way that will enable students to acquire a proper grounding in basic principles, features and institutions of the European Community legal system and provide an opportunity to explore more advanced problems concerning these basic principles and features.

Content

  • the Nature & Sources of the EC lawl;
  • the constitutional law of the European Union including the decision-making process;
  • fundamental principles of EC law;
  • direct enforceability of EC law in national courts by individuals;
  • enforeceability of the rights and powers of Member States and European organs before the European Court of Justice.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • have an understanding of the structure, features and fundamental characteristics of the European Community (EC) legal order;
  • have an understanding of the role EC law plays within the national legal order of the Member States;
  • be able to explain the way in which rules and principles of EC law are made and develop;
  • be able to identify the key participants in the EC legal order and be able to explain the status and the roles that these participants play within the European Community legal order;
  • be able to recognise EC law issues/problems and be able to construct arguments as to how these problems may be resolved;
  • be able to demonstrate knowledge of the methods by which EC law is implemented.
Subject-specific Skills:
Key Skills:

    Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

    • lectures designed to provide a structure for the course and to introduce basic principles and features of the EC legal order.
    • seminars will provide opportunity for the exploration and discussion of more complex issues and ideas.
    • written work requires a demonstration of students' analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.

    Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

    Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
    Lectures 8 1 8
    Seminars 18 Week with a few reading weeks 2 36
    Preparation and Reading 406
    Total 450

    Summative Assessment

    Component: Essay Component Weighting: 25%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Essay 4000 word 100%
    Component: Unseen Written Examination Component Weighting: 75%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Unseen Written Examination 3 hours 100%

    Formative Assessment:

    One assignment of approximately 2,000 words in Michaelmas Term.


    Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University