96323 - European Union Law

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course unit, students: have developed the ability to analyse the main implications of the EU institutional structure and to determine the overall effects of the law into the municipal legal orders of the Member States; are capable to illustrate the main trends of the interplay between the Union and its Member States (both internally and on the international scene).

Course contents

1. Introduction to the European Union

• Historical development of European integration

• Founding treaties and evolution of the EU

• Legal nature of the EU

2. Institutional Framework

• European Commission

• European Parliament

• Council of the European Union and European Council

• Technical institutions (European Central Bank, European Court of Auditors, EU Court

of Justice)

• Competences of the EU

3. Sources of EU Law

• Primary law (Treaties)

• Secondary law (regulations, directives, decisions)

• International agreements

• Soft law instruments

• Enforcement

4. Judicial Protection in the EU

• Preliminary ruling procedure (Art. 267 TFEU)

• Infringement proceedings

• Actions for annulment and failure to act

• Judicial review and access to justice

5. The Internal Market

• Concept and legal framework

• Free movement of goods

• Free movement of workers

• Freedom of establishment and services

• Free movement of capital

6. EU Citizenship

• Notion and evolution

• Rights of EU citizens

Readings/Bibliography

Robert Schütze, An Introduction to European Law, OUP, Fourth Edition (ch. 1-4; 9-10).

This textbook is to be considered a supporting resource for attending students, who are expected to prepare primarily using the lecture slides. For non-attending students, it serves as the main reference text for exam preparation.

Teaching methods

Lectures are geared towards critical discussion and interaction with students, with the aim of developing not only theoretical knowledge of EU law, but also the ability to apply it consciously and independently.

To this end, the teaching activity includes the use of guided questions during the lectures to stimulate legal reasoning and active participation, also in dialogue form.

Particular attention is paid to topical European issues, addressed through insights drawn from official sources (Commission communications, Council decisions, acts of the European Parliament) or from concrete cases that enable students to contextualise theoretical knowledge in real-life scenarios.

Students with DSA or temporary or permanent disabilities:

It is recommended to contact the responsible University office in good time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ): it will be their responsibility to propose any adaptations to the students concerned, which must however be submitted, with a 15-day notice, to the approval of the teacher, who will evaluate the opportunity also in relation to the educational objectives of the course.

Assessment methods

The exam of "European Union Law" will be in written form for the duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes.

By way of example, the following criteria will be used to assess the final mark (that will be out of 30-30):

• sufficient or barely sufficient knowledge on the course, limited reasoning ability, some difficulties in using field specific terminology - 18-21/30;
• fairly good knowledge of the course, adequate reasoning ability, sound use of specific terminology - 22-25/30;
• comprehensive knowledge of the course, notable reasoning ability, good command of specific terminology - 26-29/30;
• extensive knowledge of the course, including of the optional reading, very good reasoning ability, and full master of the specific terminology - 30 - 30L/30.

Teaching tools

power point presentation, syllabus, e-learning will all be made available through the online platform Virtuale 

Office hours

See the website of Madalina Bianca Moraru