Insegnamento a.a. 2026-2027

30621 - EUROPEAN UNION LAW

Department of Law


Course taught in English
Go to class group/s: 28
BGL (9 credits - I sem. - OB  |  IUS/14)
Course Director:
ELEANOR SPAVENTA

Classes: 28 (I sem.)
Instructors:
Class 28: ELEANOR SPAVENTA


Mission & Content Summary

MISSION

The aim of the course is to provide a comprehensive overview of the European Union legal order and the role of law in the European integration process, also taking into account policy and political developments. The course focuses on the EU institutional architecture, the legislative and decision-making process in the EU, and the constitutional principles of the EU, including direct effect, supremacy, fundamental rights, Bgl for enforcing EU law and judicial review and the main principles of the substantive law of the European Union, focusing in particular on Union citizenship and the internal market (the four freedoms). All topics in the course are dealt with particular attention to current developments in EU law and the development of the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Overall, the course aims to introduce students to the complexities of European integration through in-depth analysis of the case law of the Court of Justice.

CONTENT SUMMARY

  • The Development of European Integration
  • The Institutions 
  • Competence
  • Instruments, Hierarchy of Norms, and Decision-Making
  • The Nature and Effect of EU Law: Direct Effect, incidental horizontal effect
  • The Application of EU Law: Remedies in National Courts, national procedural autonomy
  • The Preliminary Ruling Procedure
  • Judicial Review
  • Enforcement Action against Member States
  • Human Rights in the EU
  • Free Movement of Goods 
  • Union Citizenship
  • Free Movement of Workers
  • Freedom of Establishment and Free Movement of Services

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

At the end of the course student will be able to...

Understand the basic institutional and constitutional structure of the Europea Union;

Understand the way EU and national law interact

Critically understand the EU in the broader geopolitical context 

Be able to navigate the case law of the European Court of Justice, identify relevant cases and apply them to relevant facts

Identify the limits and risks of generative AI in advanced legal and policy work, with reference to legal authority and source verification.

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

At the end of the course student will be able to...

Be able to show in-depth analytical and critical understanding of the EU legal system

Be able to use primary and secondary sources and to apply the relevant law as required

Evaluate AI-generated case summaries, draft memos and policy materials against the original judgments and primary sources.


Teaching methods

  • Lectures
  • Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)
  • Practical Exercises
  • Collaborative Works / Assignments
  • Interaction/Gamification

DETAILS

Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)

Student-led work is also envisaged. This may take the form of short briefings on a leading judgment, the discussion of a recent development brought in by one of the groups, a structured debate on a contested question, or a simulation. The simulation might include a Council negotiation, a mock hearing before the Court, a treaty-making exercise, the drafting of an Advocate General’s opinion.


Assessment methods

  Continuous assessment Partial exams General exam
  • Written individual exam (traditional/online)
    x
  • Individual Works/ Assignment (report, exercise, presentation, project work etc.)
x    
  • Collaborative Works / Assignment (report, exercise, presentation, project work etc.)
x    
  • Active class participation (virtual, attendance)
x    

ATTENDING STUDENTS

Written exam 100% of the mark. The exam is a closed book  (no materials are allowed for reference or consultation during the exam). Students will have to answer three questions.

The exam aims to test students' knowledge and understanding of the EU institutional architecture, the legislative and decision-making process in the EU, and the constitutional principles of the EU, including direct effect, supremacy, fundamental rights, enforcement of EU law and judicial review and the main principles of the substantive law of the European Union, focusing in particular on Union citizenship and the internal market (the four freedoms). Students also have to show understanding of  the development of the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union. 

Please remember that attending students are those who have reached the threshold of at least 75% of attendance.


NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS

Written exam 100% of the mark. The exam is a closed book (no materials are allowed for reference or consultation during the exam). 

Students will have to answer four questions

The exam aims to test students' knowledge and understanding of the EU institutional architecture, the legislative and decision-making process in the EU, and the constitutional principles of the EU, including direct effect, supremacy, fundamental rights, enforcement of EU law and judicial review and the main principles of the substantive law of the European Union, focusing in particular on Union citizenship and the internal market (the four freedoms). Students also have to show understanding of  the development of the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union. 


Teaching materials


ATTENDING AND NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS

Students will be able to choose between two textbooks: Craig and De Burca EU law (OUP 2024, 8th edition), Chalmers, Monti and Davies EU Law (CUP 5th edition available online through the library).  

. Students will also have to read relevant case law and specialist articles when assigned.

Last change 25/05/2026 18:29