EU LAW I - 2020/1

Module Overview

This module introduces students to the constitutional law and institutional framework of the EU, building on their study of Public Law I and providing a solid basis for their further study of the internal market in EU Law II.

Module provider

School of Law

Module Leader

O'MEARA Noreen (Schl of Law)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None  

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Nature and Scope of EU law


• Institutional structure of the EU


• Sources of EU Law


• Core constitutional doctrines / principles of EU law


• Public and Private Enforcement of EU law


• Preliminary Reference Procedure


• Relationships between CJEU and national courts


• Remedies


• UK perspective of EU membership

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment addresses all learning outcomes listed above.

The assessment method for each module has been selected to test a variety of key skills, competences and outcomes as required by QAA. As such, assessment method cannot be changed. Reasonable adjustment may be made on application subject to ALS approval AND only where such adjustment still allows for the required skills, key competences and outcomes to be assessed at an equivalent level.

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their thorough understanding and analyse of EU constitutional law and the EU’s institutional framework. 

 

Formative assessment and feedback

The formative assessment focuses on the key principles which underpin all themes on the module, and which form a core element of the summative assessment. 

Formative assessment is a mock exam undertaken during a tutorial mid-way through the module. Students are provided with three questions and must answer one question within one hour. Feedback can provided in the following fora: written feedback by tutors; written feedback via SurreyLearn; oral feedback by tutors; oral feedback by the Convenor in Revision lectures; oral feedback during office hours.

 

Summative assessment:

The summative assessment for this module consists of one 2-hour examination. 

The summative assessment is designed to test a variety of the module’s learning outcomes, identifying and rewarding students’ analytical skills, demonstration of knowledge and critical thinking. This module encourages students not to see topics in isolation, and to creatively make connections between principles and themes on the course. The summative examination tests a selection of topics from the module, and in addressing them, students are encouraged to address themes from across the module.

Module aims

• To enable students to grasp the fundamental basics of the constitutional law and the institutional framework of the EU, in order to part-satisfy the requirements of the professional bodies for QLD purposes.
• To make students aware of the development of the EU by way of successive Treaty reforms and other legislative developments.
• To introduce students to core principles underlying constitutional law of the EU (to include, for example: relationships between the CJEU and national courts, the nature and scope of EU competence, general principles of EU law, obligations placed on Member States and on EU institutions).
• To equip students with an understanding of key procedural law and legal actions (to include, for example: enforcement actions, references for preliminary ruling, actions for annulment).
• To foster engagement with relevant literature on the topics covered
• To provide a sound basis for further study of aspects of substantive law of the EU and fundamental rights (EU Law II).

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to complement the programme learning and teaching strategy in fostering knowledge and understanding and critical awareness of EU Law I topics through a diverse range of teaching methods.  As such, students are offered learning and feedback opportunities through lectures, tutorials, online and in tutors’ consultation hours.

The learning and teaching methods include:

There are 30 taught hours on this module and 120 hours of independent study are expected in Semester 2.  The delivery format of the taught hours for this module is: one 2-hour lecture per week (11 weeks) and one 1-hour tutorial per week (8 weeks).  The module delivery is supplemented by guided learning during Reading Week, guidance provided via the SurreyLearn module area, consultation hours during the Semester, and EU Law clinic office hours prior to the summative assessment.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: LAW1032

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.