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LAW4052 - Law of the European Union

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the operation and fundamental principles of EU law, the nature and scope of EU Law, sources of EU law, EU institutions and EU constitutional principles.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the legal concepts, values, principles, rules, procedures and institutions and their inter-relationship, and how they relate to the domestic legal systems of member states.
Give examples of the application and interpretation of EU law, with particular relevance to topical issues and contexts, particularly to Britain's exit from the EU.
Apply knowledge and understanding, using legal reasoning skills to address actual and hypothetical problems involving Britain's exit from the EU in particular.
Present coherent informed and critical arguments, in writing, about key issues based on basic research skills.

Content:

This module enables students to acquire knowledge and understanding of the main legal principles and issues of the law of the European Union, and covers the place of EU law in the constitution of England and Wales, or such other content as may be specified by the SRA and BSB for QLDs.

The module also enables students to develop awareness of the issues surrounding EU Law, practical and ethical implications, and to evaluate its operation within society, and to appreciate the social, economic and political contexts and underlying policy issues relating to its operation, and their impact.

In covering the module content, the seminars will also provide training and support for key transferable skills: to carry out independent tasks and research to a reasonable level as a basis for further development in subsequent study; to consider how legal principles can be applied to both actual and hypothetical facts, and to enhance relevant Employability skills in the context of the subject area.

The module covers the Law of the European Union Foundation of Legal Knowledge under the Joint Statement as required by the SRA and BSB for a QLD, and relevant aspects of the SRA Statement of Legal Knowledge for "11. Constitutional law and EU law (including Human Rights)".

Learning and Teaching Information:

The module will be delivered through seminars that combine aspects of lectures, workshops, group tutorials, directed learning and formative feedback.

The first half of the module will be assessed through an essay that outlines the nature, sources and structure of European Law and its relationship to UK Law. To prepare students for this, the sessions will enable the acquisition of knowledge and understanding, but the focus will be on deep learning: making links between the various legal concepts and institutions, across a range of sample cases and scenarios designed to test grasp of accuracy and detail.

In the second half of the module, the students will be prepared for a presentation that demonstrates their understanding of the principles of EU Law and its (evolving) relationship to UK Law and, in particular, the ability to apply this understanding in specific instances. Again, the teaching will be problem-based and practice-led, honing the specific intellectual skills and developing student confidence.

Seminars
Hours: 40
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Guided independent study
Hours: 160

Further details relating to assessment
The Essay will take the form of a reponse to one of a series of given case studies. The students use the case study to articulate the relevant principles and institutional structures.

The Presentation relates topical discussions about European Law and its evolving relationship to UK Law and to the appropriate legal principles, processes and institutions.

Assessment:

001 Essay; 2,500 words; mid-semester 1 50%
002 Presentation; 10mins; end of semester 2 50%
200 Presentation; 10mins; end of semester 2 100%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Julia Aveyard
Level - 4
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4YL4S2