European Union Law from edX

This course explores both the internal and external dimensions of EU law. The course is structured in three parts, with 3 modules each.

By the end of Part 1 (EU Institutional Law), learners will have a good understanding of the historical legal milestones in the establishment of the EU, the main objectives, principles and values of the EU legal order, the rules governing EU membership, the institutional set-up of the EU, the main competences of the EU and how these are exercised.

By the end of Part 2 (EU Substantive Law), learners will have a good grasp of the process of establishing the EU internal market and the rules governing the four freedoms (goods, persons, capital, and establishment), the main principles of EU competition law and an ample overview of the leading and most mediatic cases in this field. With respect to the EMU, learners will be introduced to the main features of the economic and monetary pillar and will be encouraged to think critically about the use of monetary and economic instruments by the EU in response to crises.

By the end of Part 3 (EU External Relations Law), learners will have a good understanding of EU external competences, the principles governing their exercise, the special rules applicable to the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, the main institutional actors involved in conducting EU external relations, the procedure for the conclusion of international agreements and the adoption of sanctions by the EU, and the Court of Justice’s leading cases on EU external relations law.

What you'll learn

Understand the legal framework of the European Union, including its key actors and decision-making procedures
Understand the main legal principles of EU law and how they evolved
Understand the normative function of EU law as well as its unique relationship with national and international law
Understand how the EU’s substantive law governs its economic system
Understand the law governing the EU's external relations
Be able to read, understand and assess legislative texts pertaining to the EU, including the case law of the Court of Justice of the EU

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand the legal framework of the european union, including its key actors and decision-making procedures
Understand the main legal principles of eu law and how they evolved
Understand the normative function of eu law as well as its unique relationship with national and international law

Understand how the eu’s substantive law governs its economic system
Understand the law governing the eu's external relations
Be able to read, understand and assess legislative texts pertaining to the eu, including the case law of the court of justice of the eu

Understand the legal framework of the european union, including its key actors and decision-making procedures
Understand the main legal principles of eu law and how they evolved
Understand the normative function of eu law as well as its unique relationship with national and international law
Understand how the eu’s substantive law governs its economic system
Understand the law governing the eu's external relations
Be able to read, understand and assess legislative texts pertaining to the eu, including the case law of the court of justice of the eu

Syllabus

Part 1 | EU Institutional Law

Module 1: Nature and Evolution of the EU Legal Order

Discuss and critically reflect on EU values and the principles of EU integration

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Covers a broad range of current and relevant EU law topics across three modules

Provides a strong foundation in EU law for beginners

Covers the evolution of EU legislation and institutions

Explores how the EU's substantive law governs its economic system

Examines the EU's external relations law

Provides a comprehensive overview of the EU institutional framework, legal principles, substantive areas, and external relations

Reviews summary

Comprehensive eu law foundation

According to learners, this course offers an incredibly thorough and well-structured introduction to EU law, providing a strong academic foundation for anyone serious about the subject. Students consistently praise the clear and engaging lectures delivered by expert instructors, with many finding the explanations of complex legal principles outstanding. The course's logical progression through institutional, substantive, and external relations law is frequently highlighted as a strength. While largely positive, some learners note the dense content and challenging pace. A minority also feel it is too theoretical, lacking practical application or more dynamic presentation for policy-focused or non-legal professionals. Overall, it is highly recommended for its depth and comprehensive coverage.

Organized logically with a clear progression of topics.

"This course provided an incredibly thorough and well-structured introduction..."

"The structure is logical, moving from foundational concepts to more specific areas."

"I appreciated the logical progression of topics."

Instructors are experts, providing clear and engaging explanations.

"The instructor's expertise was evident throughout."

"The explanations of complex legal principles were outstanding, and the case studies really brought the material to life."

"The lectures are delivered by true experts."

"The instructors are clearly experts."

Delivers an in-depth and thorough exploration of EU law.

"This course provided an incredibly thorough and well-structured introduction to EU law."

"A solid overview of EU law, covering all the essential topics."

"The depth of coverage is impressive, and the lectures are delivered by true experts."

"It covers a vast amount of material, from institutions to external relations."

Lectures could be more dynamic; some found them dry.

"The course is comprehensive but sometimes feels dry. While the information is undoubtedly valuable, the presentation could be more dynamic."

"Sometimes the lectures felt a bit dry, and the visual aids were minimal."

Material is extensive and can be challenging to absorb.

"The content is dense, as expected for a law course, but the way it's broken down into modules made it manageable."

"I struggled with the pace in certain modules, and the readings were extensive."

"It's a lot of information to absorb. If you have a strong background in law, you might find it easier, but for others, it could be overwhelming."

Strong theoretical foundation, but limited practical application.

"Too theoretical and not enough practical application. As someone hoping to apply this in a policy setting, I found it lacking in real-world scenarios."

"Good for theory, less so for practical skills."

"I wish there were more practical exercises or discussions on current events."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in European Union Law with these activities:

Review EU Law terminology

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Provides an opportunity to strengthen foundational knowledge and understanding of key concepts and legal principles in EU law.

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Consult legal dictionaries and glossaries specific to EU law.
Review course materials and handouts for definitions and explanations of key terms.

Review substantive law of the EU

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Understand the substantive law governing the EU's internal market, competition, economic and monetary union, and external relations.

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Review the EU Treaties and other primary sources of EU law.
Read case law from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
Take practice quizzes and exams to test your understanding.

Discuss EU law topics with peers

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Engage in discussions with peers to deepen your understanding of EU law and its application in practice.

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Join an online forum or discussion group dedicated to EU law.
Participate in class discussions and ask questions to your peers.
Organize a study group with classmates to discuss specific topics.

Seven other activities

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Explore EU Law Databases

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Develops research skills and familiarity with specialized EU law databases, enhancing the ability to access and analyze legal materials.

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Identify relevant EU law databases such as EUR-Lex and CELEX.
Follow online tutorials or documentation on how to navigate and search these databases.
Practice searching for specific legal texts, case law, and other relevant documents.
Save and organize search results for future reference.

Analyze CJEU case law

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Develop the ability to read and understand CJEU case law, which is essential for understanding the development of EU law.

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Read a CJEU case and identify the key facts, issues, and holding.
Analyze the reasoning of the Court and identify the legal principles applied.
Compare and contrast different CJEU cases on the same topic.

Summarize CJEU Cases

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Reinforces understanding of EU legal principles and jurisprudence by actively engaging with case law.

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Select significant CJEU cases relevant to the course modules.
Read and analyze the judgments, focusing on key legal principles and arguments.
Create summaries that highlight the main facts, legal issues, and rulings.
Share summaries with peers for feedback and discussion (optional).

Peer Discussion on EU Legal Precedents

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Fosters collaborative learning and exchange of perspectives by engaging in discussions about case law and its impact on EU law.

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Select a group of peers.
Choose a recent or significant CJEU case.
Research the case and its background.
Meet to discuss the case, focusing on its legal reasoning, implications, and relevance to broader EU law principles.

Apply EU Law Principles to Case Scenarios

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Provides opportunities to apply EU law principles to practical situations, strengthening analytical and problem-solving skills.

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Review hypothetical case scenarios or real-world examples.
Identify the relevant EU law principles and concepts.
Analyze the facts and apply the principles to reach a reasoned conclusion.
Discuss and compare different interpretations and approaches with peers (optional).

Participate in EU Law Forums and Communities

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Connects students with a broader community of EU law professionals and enthusiasts, providing opportunities for knowledge sharing and engagement.

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Identify relevant online forums, discussion groups, or social media groups focused on EU law.
Join these groups and participate in discussions.
Ask questions, share insights, and engage with other members.
Attend online events or webinars organized by these groups (optional).

Write a legal memo on an EU law topic

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Demonstrate your understanding of EU law by writing a legal memo that analyzes a specific legal issue.

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Choose a specific EU law topic to research.
Conduct legal research using primary and secondary sources.
Write a legal memo that outlines the legal issue, analyzes the relevant law, and provides a conclusion.

Career center

Learners who complete European Union Law will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

European Union Affairs Specialist

This course will help you build a foundation for a career as a European Union Affairs Specialist, a professional who advises organizations on EU policies and regulations.

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University Professor

If your goal is to become a University Professor specializing in European Union law, this course will help you build a strong foundation for teaching and research in this field.

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Policy Advisor

As a Policy Advisor, you will research and analyze policy issues, develop policy recommendations, and advise policymakers. This course, European Union Law, will provide you with the knowledge of EU law and policy necessary to succeed in this role.

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Political Scientist

This course on European Union Law will be particularly useful for those interested in pursuing a career as a Political Scientist, as it provides a deep understanding of the political dynamics and decision-making processes within the EU.

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Trade Policy Analyst

This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to succeed as a Trade Policy Analyst, a role that involves analyzing and developing trade policies.

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Competition Lawyer

This course, by providing a thorough understanding of EU competition law, can be particularly useful for pursuing a career as a Competition Lawyer.

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Economic Analyst

This course provides the knowledge and skills to succeed as an Economic Analyst, a role that involves analyzing economic data and trends to forecast economic activity.

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Lawyer

This course, European Union Law, will help you build a foundation for a career as a Lawyer, a role that involves advising clients on legal issues and representing them in court.

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Public Policy Analyst

This course, by providing a comprehensive understanding of EU law and policy, can be particularly useful for someone pursuing a career as a Public Policy Analyst.

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Financial Analyst

This course provides a solid foundation for a career as a Financial Analyst, a professional who analyzes financial data and provides investment recommendations.

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Diplomat

This course, European Union Law, can be particularly useful for those interested in a career as a Diplomat, as it provides a deep understanding of the legal framework governing the EU's external relations.

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Regulatory Affairs Manager

This course will be helpful for someone who wants to work as a Regulatory Affairs Manager, a role that involves ensuring that a company's products and operations comply with government regulations.

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International Relations Manager

This course on European Union Law will be useful for someone pursuing a career as an International Relations Manager, a role that involves managing and coordinating international relations activities for an organization.

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Writer

This course may also be useful for aspiring Writers, as it can help develop the skills needed to write clearly and persuasively about complex legal and political issues.

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Journalist

This course may be helpful for Journalists covering European Union affairs, as it provides a deep understanding of the EU's legal and political framework.

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