Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2012-2013 (archived)

Module LAW1061: EU CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

Department: Law

LAW1061: EU CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

Type Tied Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2012/13 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to M101
Tied to M155
Tied to L3M1

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To provide a general understanding of basic institutions, concepts and principles relating to the European Union.

Content

  • European Integration: the historical, political and economic foundations of the European Union, institutions of the EC and the EC legislative process, the legal structure of the EC, the legal relationship of the EC with member states, judicial protection of 'Community rights' in both Community and national courts.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Students should be able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of basic principles of the law of European Union.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Students should be able to apply the law of the European Union and analyse and understand its development.
Key Skills:
  • Students should be able to demonstrate basic analytical and writing skills, including the ability to work independently and for the student to take responsibility for his/her own learning.

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

  • Lectures are used primarily to impart knowledge - and also to suggest approaches to evaluation and critical analysis;
  • Tutorials will be used to develop and enhance students capacity for legal-problem solving in a particular factual situation, evaluative critical analysis and their appreciation of laws' linkage with broader fields of enquiry.
  • Assignments (formative) are used both to develop problem-solving skills, the ability to engage in sustained evaluation of proposed schemes of reforms, and the ability to evaluate the law in a critical and contextual way.
  • Summative assessment comprises one unseen examination of two hours fifteen minutes, and an essay of 1500 words.
  • The examination tests the ability to focus on relevant legal issues and organise knowledge and argument appropriate to questions raised. The examination questions will provide the means for students to demonstrate the acquisition of subject knowledge and the development of their problem-solving skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 20 weekly 1 hour 20
Seminars 4 Normally two in each of Michaelmas and Epiphany 1 hour 4
Staff office hours 28 Normally weekly during Michaelmas, Epiphany and Easter Terms 1 hour 28
Preparation and Reading 148
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Summative Essay Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Summative Essay 1500 words 50%
Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written examination - including 15 minutes of reading but not writing-in-the-answer-book time 2hrs 15mins 50%

Formative Assessment:

One essay of 1,500 words, to be set in Michaelmas.


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