The course Law of External Relations of the European Union provides students with a comprehensive picture of the current law and policy governing EU external relations. Students will first be introduced to the fundamental principles and laws of EU external relations (EU actors, treaty-making and competences), followed by external relations policies (CFSP, Trade and Development policy) and their respective interactions. The interactive lectures will introduce into the subjects of law and policy and the tutorials address legal issues through cases and tasks (for instance, the EU as a diplomatic actor, the EP‘s role in EU external representation and the relation between Common Foreign and Security Policy and other EU external policies).
Learning Outcomes
1. Understand the EU and international framework governing the EU's external relations
2. Explain the competences, actors, procedures and instruments in EU external relations policy- and law-making
3. Conceptualise different aspects of the relationship between European and International law
4. Analyse important case law of the Court of Justice in the field of EU external relations
Professional Skills
Legal argumentation, ability to read, discuss and critically reflect on legal texts and policy documents
• Online learning activities: 4 hours a week / 4 hours a semester
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 38 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 60 hours a semester
2. online exam on a topic of EU external relations law to be written at the end of the course (counts for 50 percent)
3. Oral participation during the course (counts for 10 percent)