Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2009-2010 (archived)

Module LAW40230: EC COMPETITION LAW

Department: Law

LAW40230: EC COMPETITION LAW

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 30 Availability Available in 2009/10 Module Cap None.
Tied to M1K116
Tied to M1K516
Tied to M1K316

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • The course aims at providing an in-depth study of how the EC Competition Rules operate in their relationship to national competition laws.

Content

  • The syllabus covers the following matters:
  • A general introduction on the economics of competition and monopoly; economic models and objectives of competition law
  • The main EC Treaty provisions on anti-competitive practices, abuse of dominant position, mergers
  • Relevant Community legislation
  • The course will have four central components: anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position, mergers and state aids.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • In depth knowledge of the substantive and procedural rules of law relating to the control of anti-competitive practices in the EC.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • The Development of critical understanding of the policy issues and the methods of interpretation and application of competition law by the European Commission and the European Court of Justice.
Key Skills:
  • Analytical skills as well as evaluative skills.

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

  • Preference will be given to seminar teaching. This will foster a Socratic teaching environment. Essay and problem questions will be used to assess the teaching outcomes in the light with the theory of structural alignment.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Seminars 15 Weekly 2 hours each 30
Preparation and Reading 270
Total 300

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Three-hour written exam. Students are permitted to take printed or written materials into the examination. 3 hours 100%

Formative Assessment:

Student presentations of about 15 minutes' length.


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