57802 - European Union Law (F-O)

Learning outcomes

The course aims to analyze the main elements of the process of European integration, with particular regard to the legal implications arising from it. The student will develop the ability to analyze the main implications related to the institutional structure and action of the European Union, identifying each time the effects attributable to the work of its institutions and main bodies. He/she will also be able to determine overall the effects that EU legislation produces in the Italian legal order and to illustrate the main reform trends taking place at the European level.

Course contents

The course focuses on the legal system in the European Union, with specific attention to institutional law profiles. Specifically, the following topics will be covered: the origin and development of the process of European integration; the structure and purposes of the European Union as well as its founding values; the system of division of competences between the Union and the member states and the principles underlying it; the resources of the European Union; the "legal status" of the member state, i.e., accession to the Union, the withdrawal procedure as well as that through which it is possible to arrive at the suspension of rights arising from EU membership; the institutional framework; the sources of law; the relations with national legal systems; the system of judicial protection; the European citizenship; the economic and monetary union; the internal market; the area of freedom, security and justice; and the external relations.

Readings/Bibliography

For the general part:

- R. Adam, A. Tizzano, Lineamenti di Diritto dell'Unione Europea, 5th edition, Giappichelli, 2022.

For the material part there are three alternatives:

- G. Strozzi (ed.), European Union Law - Special Part, Giappichelli, 5th edition, 2017.

Or, alternatively

- G. Di Federico (ed.), Alla (re)scoperta del Parlamento europeo 1979-2019, Giappichelli, 2021.

Or alternatively,

- P. Manzini, M. Vellano (eds.), European Union 2020, CEDAM, 2021 (excluding chapters 6 and 8).

A number of teaching materials (judgments, acts, documents, slides) will be uploaded weekly on the Virtual platform [https://virtuale.unibo.it/], supplementing and completing the topics covered by the textbook in the light of what will be discussed in class, devoting particular attention to the most topical aspects of each topic.

For students coming to the University of Bologna for a period of study or internship under the Erasmus+ Program or other international program, the syllabus and textbooks are the same.

CFU Integrations

CFU integrations must be agreed with the Professor. It is essential for this purpose that the student indicates by e-mail:

(a) the official syllabus of the exam taken abroad or in another Italian university (it is sufficient to indicate the link to the teaching);

b) the textbooks used for the preparation of the exam.

N.B. requests for additions without this information will not be considered.

During the exam, it will be necessary to remind the topics subject to supplementation established by the Professor.

Teaching methods

The course aims to promote joint work with students. The teaching method followed consistently pairs theoretical framework with practical case studies to enable students to develop an ability to immediately apply EU law to concrete situations.

Assessment methods

The final examination will consist of an oral question on the program. The interview will be on topics relevant to those listed in the "Contents" section (in particular, at least one question on the general part and one on the material part).
For the purpose of preparation, attending and non-attending students may refer to the adopted textbooks.

To assign the final grade, expressed in thirtieths, the following evaluation criteria will be taken into account:
- knowledge and understanding of the notions and principles of the subject and institutes on which the questioning is based and level of in-depth study (50%);
- ability to make connections between the institutes of EU law, ability to critically analyze the topics covered by the examination question and ability to apply them to concrete cases (20%);
- appropriate use of technical and legal vocabulary, candidate's expository skills, ability to analyze and evaluate relevant sources, and acquisition of study method (30%).

By way of simplification only, the awarding of the final grade will be guided by the following criteria:
Sufficient or little more than sufficient preparation on the topics covered, poor critical ability, difficulty in using technical-legal language → 18-21;
Fair or fairly good preparation on the topics covered, fair critical ability, good use of technical-legal language → 22-25;
Good or more than good preparation on the topics covered, good critical ability, mastery of technical-legal language → 26-29;
Substantially comprehensive preparation on the topics covered, excellent critical ability, full command of technical-legal language → 30-30L.

In order to take the exam, students must reserve the desired roll through the AlmaEsami application, in the sessions and in compliance with the conditions and deadlines set by the University. In particular, for the purpose of taking the exam, Constitutional Law and Private Law are expected to be propaedeutic.

Teaching tools

Teaching materials for regular attenders (slides, documents, bibiographical references) will be made available through the platform Virtuale [https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en] .

Students which need compensatory tools for reasons of disability or Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) should communicate to the teacher their needs so as to be directed to the dedicated person and arrange on the adoption of the most appropriate measures.

Office hours

See the website of Giacomo Di Federico