Contents - General Outline

The Preparatory Seminar "European Law and Economics" covers both legal and economic aspects of European Integration. Therein it corresponds to the increasingly pluri- and interdisciplinary requirements of the present business world.

In particular, the course will deal with the following subjects:
- Key European Law Principles (main focus),
- The Institutional Framework of the EU (main focus),
- The Decision Making Process at the European Level (main focus),
- Introduction to the European Single Market,
- Introduction to the European Monetary Union (EMU),
- Possibly also some considerations on world trade/WTO.

While it is possible (and perfectly fine) to attend this course on its own, participants may also wish to attend “Advanced Issues of European Business Law“. Taken together, both courses form the elective subject “European Economic Law”.

Please note: The course "Advanced Issues of European Business Law" will be offered in the winter term 2019/20 next.

What is an elective subject? Within the framework of their studies, regular WU students have to choose out of several "elective subjects" with "European Economic Law" being one of them.

General Remarks

A key element of the business environment is its legal framework. In this context, European law should be mentioned in particular. Substantial changes to the business environment, all of which result from European law (e.g. the Single Market and European Monetary Union), as well as the wide range of EU activities (a large majority of all legislative acts valid within the Member States of the European Union is of "EU origin") demonstrate that a profound knowledge of European law constitutes a vital pre-condition for successful entrepreneurship! Recent enlargements of the European Union have resulted in an even broader application of Union acts and have, therefore, further increased the importance of European law. In view of on-going "globalisation", however, also the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and its legal order represent areas of great importance. The knowledge of WTO-related matters is therefore another must.

Learning Outcomes

Ability to

*discuss questions in a knowledge based manner
*solve problems of general relevance

related to the European Union in general and its decision making process in particular.

Regular attendance is mandatory. However: One absence of max 3 hours length without explanation possible, further absences only on an exceptional basis and for serious and stated reasons. PLEASE NOTE: Presence at the first meeting is mandatory. If you cannot attend the first meeting it is absolutely necessary to get in touch with K. Forgó asap.

The grade is based on the overall performance during the entire Preparatory Seminar, taking into account active participation in class (including the preparation of several case studies/exercises) as well as the final written exam result.

The final grade is calculated as follows:

1. final written exam result: 70 %
2. a case study distributed at the seminar's first meeting, to be prepared at home and presented in class: 20 %
3. other active participation in class (ad hoc analysis of small cases/exercises, contributions to discussions etc.): 10 %. In case of exceptionally good active participation in class additional 10 % (i.e. in total 20 %) might be achieved (to compensate for deficiencies in the area of 1. and 2. (see above) where applicable).

In case you wish to see your corrected exam pls. contact katrin.forgo@gmx.net preferably within two weeks after the publication of the (provisional) final grade.

There is no formal knowledge-based admission requirement. However, attention is drawn to the fact that students from both inside and outside the EU usually attend this Preparatory Seminar and that in general EU-related background knowledge differs considerably. Students who have not been in touch with "European issues" so far are strongly recommended to get some overview (see e.g. http://europa.eu/about-eu/index_en.htm) before the course starts!

Regular attendance is mandatory. However: One absence of max 3 hours length without explanation possible, further absences only on an exceptional basis and for serious and stated reasons. PLEASE NOTE: Presence at the first meeting is mandatory. If you cannot attend the first meeting it is absolutely necessary to get in touch with K. Forgó asap.

Katrin.Forgo@gmx.net