Prospectus

nl en

EU Institutional Law & General Principles of EU Law

Course
2011-2012

Admission requirements

LL.B. or equivalent undergraduate degree or admission to the LL.M. Programme (European Law).

Description

This course is a solid introduction to the law of EU institutions and their action. It deals with the main legal and doctrinal questions in the field and builds a coherent understanding of the Union as a system of government. The series of lectures consistently uses a constitutional frame of analysis and makes frequent excursions to the structures of action belonging to other international organizations and to states. As the Union features a relentless development in substantive scope, in membership and in institutional sophistication, one of the dominant angles used, next to that of comparison, must be that of evolution.

The course consists of twelve lectures and five seminars, of two hours each. Lectures are in the socratic mode, with students expected to be fully prepared. Seminars are on the basis of answers to open questions that students have prepared in writing.

Course objectives

Objectives of the course
This course is aimed at providing students with the foundations of EU law. This will include:

  • Knowledge of the institutional architecture of the EU

  • Horizontal relationship between the institutions

  • Vertical relationship between the EU and its Member States

  • Law and policymaking processes

  • Judicial review and enforcement mechanisms

  • Nature of the EU legal order

  • Sources of EU law, in particular the general principles of EU law.

Achievement levels
The following achievement levels apply with regard to the course:

  • Understanding of the foundations of EU law, enabling successful attendance of remaining courses in the LL.M. Programme

  • Carry out research in the areas of EU law covered.

  • Solve practical cases in the areas of EU law covered.

Timetable

The timetable of this course can be found in uSis.

Mode of instruction

Lectures

  • Number of (2 hour) lectures: 10

  • Names of lecturers: Prof.Dr.W. T. Eijsbouts

  • Required preparation by students: Students are expected to have done the required reading in advance.

Seminars

  • Number of (2 hour) seminars: 10

  • Names of instructors: Prof. W.T. Eijsbouts ,

  • Required preparation by students: Students are expected to have done the required reading in advance and to have prepared the exercises in the course book.

Other methods of instruction

  • Description: RIO trip

  • Number of (2 hour) instructions: a visit to the European Institutions in Strasbourg, Luxemburg and Brussels (non-compulsory) in week 42

  • Names of instructors: not applicable

  • Required preparation by students: to be published on Blackboard

Assessment method

Examination form(s)

  • Paper (3.000 words excl. footnotes) – worth 30% of the final result

  • Written exam (3 hours) – worth 70% of the final result

Submission procedures
To be announced in course book and/or on Blackboard.

Areas to be tested within the exam
The examination syllabus consists of the required reading (literature) for the course, the course information guide and the subjects taught in the lectures, the seminars and all other instructions which are part of the course.

Blackboard

More information on this course is offered on Blackboard.

Reading list

Obligatory course materials
Literature:
Craig & De Burca EU Law (post Lisbon edition)

Treaty texts and secondary legislation:
N. Foster, Blackstone’s EU Treaties & Legislation, latest edition.

Case Law as assigned

Registration

Registration using uSis.

Contact information

  • Co-ordinator: Prof.Dr. W.T. Eijsbouts

  • Work address: Steenschuur 25, room number B.1.37

  • Contact information:

  • Telephone number: +31 (0)71 527 7392

  • Email: w.t.eijsbouts@law.leidenuniv.nl

Institution/division

  • Institute: Public Law

  • Department: European Law

  • Room number secretary: B.1.21

  • Opening hours: Daily, 9:00-17:00

  • Telephone number secretary: +31 (0)71 5278837

  • Email: w.h.rodger@law.leidenuniv.nl

Remarks

Contractonderwijs

Belangstellenden die deze cursus in het kader van contractonderwijs willen volgen (met tentamen), kunnen meer informatie vinden over kosten, inschrijving, voorwaarden, etc. op de website van Juridisch PAO.