Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2023-2024 (archived)

Module LAW1061: EUROPEAN UNION LAW

Department: Law

LAW1061: EUROPEAN UNION LAW

Type Tied Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2023/24 Module Cap Location Durham
Tied to M101
Tied to M103

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To provide a general understanding of the basic institutions of the European Union, of the basic concepts and principles of European Union Law, and of the legal framework for the relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom after Brexit.

Content

  • European integration: the historical, political and economic foundations of the European Union;
  • The institutions of the EU;
  • EU competences, the principles of EU law-making and the EU legislative process;
  • The effect of EU law in the national legal orders;
  • Judicial protection of EU law rights before the Court of Justice of the EU and before national courts;
  • The protection of fundamental rights in EU law;
  • An introduction to the EU internal market;
  • The legal framework for the relationship between the EU and the UK before, during and after the Brexit process.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Students should be able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of basic principles of the law of the 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 the capacity of students to solve legal problems in a particular factual situation, evaluative critical analysis and their appreciation of laws' linkage with broader fields of enquiry;
  • The formative assessment is 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;
  • The summative assessment comprises a written exam;
  • The exam tests the ability to focus on relevant legal issues and organise knowledge and arguments appropriate to the questions raised. The exam 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 21 weekly (one revision lecture in Easter Term) 1 hour 21
Tutorials 5 Normally: two in Michaelmas Term; two in Epiphany Term; one in Easter Term 1 hour 5
Preparation and Reading 174
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written examination 2 hours 100% yes

Formative Assessment:

One essay of 1,500 words.


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