The aim of this module is to provide students with an understanding of the institutional framework of the European Union and to enable them to develop problem-solving skills in relation to some of the main substantive areas of European Union Law. In particular, the course will focus on the following areas:

• The relationship between Union Law and national law.
• The law making process within the EU.
• The role of the Court of Justice of the EU
• Free movement of goods.
• Citizen’s rights.

The learning strategy for this module is based around students committing a total of 150 hours of activities towards achieving the learning outcomes. These will be split between 36 hours of direct contact with a tutor and 114 hours of directed, guided and self-study, together with preparation for and completion of the assessment tasks.

Contact will include a mixture of small and larger group activities, much of it based on the principles of practice and problem based learning. Learning will be organised into a series of sessions where students will be required to participate. Each session will be based around a problem or issue, and students will work towards a range of solutions by specifying objectives, identifying constraints, obtaining background information, applying related theory and knowledge based around the subject matter.

Large group sessions seek to establish an overview framework within which selected theories and rules of the subject matter can be more effectively developed. They will verify and consolidate knowledge and understanding and will engage in more detailed exposition of selected theories, rules and constraints.

The guided learning will incorporate a mixture of activities, some of which will require groupwork and electronic interaction. The learning will be facilitated by use of the VLE platform and discussions/interactions between students and tutors.

Students will be expected to be familiar with contemporary discussions in this area of law, and to bring a range of ideas to bear on the discussions. Thus, although there will be a framework of knowledge and understanding, students will be actively, rather than passively, engaged in the process of both learning about, and increasing understanding of, the subject matter.

The module will use a blend of teaching methods to enable different styles of learning to be facilitated. The differing methods will also be a platform for the development of essential skills such as intellectual skills, communication skills and problem solving, as well as research, teamwork, negotiation, presentation, referencing, argument, judgement and appropriate use of IT.

A three hour examination at the end of the teaching block weighted at 100%-assessing all Learning Outcomes

To pass this module, students must obtain a mark of at least 40%

Additional Assessment Details:

Working towards the assessment tasks will be a key element of the learning, and tutors will be available to guide students through the process. Face to face contact sessions focussed on assessment activities will be scheduled into the timetable.

The EU Study Guide and associated materials.
Appropriate texts, legislation, cases and journals.
Computing facilities (necessary to access materials on the web and specialist online databases)

John Fairhurst, Law of the European Union, 9th Edition. Longman Pearson 2015.

1. DEMONSTRATE A KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATURE AND FRAMEWORK OF EU LAW AND OF SOME OF THE MAIN SUBSTANTIVE AREAS
Knowledge and Understanding

2. DEMONSTRATE AN ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE AND APPLY SUCH KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING.
Application
Communication

3. DEMONSTRATE AN ABILITY TO USE PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS UNDER CONTROLLED CONDITIONS TO IDENTIFY AND ANALYSE UNSEEN ISSUES OF EU LAW IN HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS.
Analysis
Problem Solving