KAFP 6410 - European Law

The course introduces students to fundamental principles of European Union Law by examining the legal solutions proposed to face the most pressing democratic and policy challenges faced by the Union. In doing so, the course aims at providing students with an understanding of the EU’s legal landscape and techniques along with strong foundations in European legal culture. Students will acquire an understanding of how the regulations and legal framework of the EU embody political choices, structure markets, and safeguard fundamental values. Through a detailed analysis of landmark cases and topical legislation, students will, first, examine the evolution of EU constitutionalism and the EU’s separation of competences. The course will then turn to the CJEU’s role in defining the balance between law and politics, and in protecting citizens’ rights and the EU’s Constitutional Order. The second half of the course will explore some of today’s most pressing priorities, namely the competitiveness of the EU’s internal market, managing the digital transition, and protecting democracy. The third part of the course will look at targeted elements of specific policies within environmental law and EU security law. Through legal analysis informed by policy insights, students will learn to interpret EU legislation both as a normative system and as a tool of political governance. Each session will also include the analysis and discussion of selected news items relevant to the session’s topic.

No Pre-Requisites

The course will consist of 12 weekly lectures of 2h each.

Student performance will be evaluated through three assignments designed to reflect their gradual

evolution during the course.

• Legal Note (15%): By week 5, the students will have to submit a 1000-1500 word legal

note addressing a specific question related to one of the topics covered in lectures.

Students will assume the role of legal advisors submitting their opinions to the relevant

EU Commissioner. Where a legal question is posed, students will be expected to identify

the issue and give a clear legal answer/interpretation to the question asked. Where they

are commenting case-law, they will be expected to analyze the judgment and explain its

implication for the future application of the law and for the policy.

• Essay (40%): By week 9, the students will have to submit a 2000-2500 word essay on a

topic relevant to the course. Students should demonstrate an ability to critically assess

and evaluate the legal question considering broader policy and societal priorities.

Students may either select from a list of proposed topics or propose their own.

• Written Examination (45%): The written examination (3h) will require students to answer

two questions out of a number of proposed topics. The questions will cover the entirety of

the course and will be a mix of essay questions and practical problem questions.

Students are expected to complete the mandatory readings prior to each lecture. Optional readings are provided for each lecture, which students can complete before or after the corresponding lecture to dive deeper into the various issues covered in class.