The course deals with the following main topics (subject to recent developments, each semester’s course might focus on respective aspects):

• Concept and development of European Union law
• Relationship of EU and domestic law
• EU constitutional principles (rule of law, fundamental rights, democracy)
• Institutions of the EU
• Competences, legal acts and instruments
• Legislation and implementation of EU law
• EU judicial system

Content, teaching & learning methods of this course offered in English correspond to the German-taught courses "Grundlagen des Europeraechts". However, please note that we will use different course materials (in English) and that there will be separate (English) exams.

Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

• autonomously analyse and assess cases governed by EU law in areas covered by the course (see below),
• in particular, autonomously apply the acquired basic knowledge in EU law, methodically correct, to case solutions,
• and understand the process of European integration as well as autonomously assess future developments.

Moreover, this course promotes the following skills of students:

• the skill to effectively define problems, both orally and in writing, and provide for adequate solutions,
• to apply acquired knowledge in practice,
  
• independently further develop acquired knowledge, thereby effectively keeping pace with new legal developments regarding the interplay of EU and domestic laws.

In addition to other courses on "Grundlagen des Europarechts", this course especially aims at developing the above skills in English.

Attendance is compulsory. Successful passing of the course is not possible in case of absence going beyond two classes (i.e. more than 4 hours). Students who miss the first class without prior notification of the lecturer will be deregistered from the course.

This course is "prüfungsimmanent" (PI), i.e. it entails elements of continuous assessment of students’ performance. It combines the approach of a traditional lecture with that of a practice session, aiming at a thorough comprehension of the topics of the course relevant for examination and practice through questions ("socratic method"), discussions and case studies.

At the beginning of the course term, Participants will receive extensive information about the course and its contents for each session, including introductory and further information on literature and case-law for course preparation. 

Unlike the parallel course "Grundlagen des Europarechts, we will use different (i.e., English) course materials.

The course has two exams: A mid-term exam (40%) and a final exam (50%). Active participation in class is expected (10%). Please note that a positive grade of the final exam is required in order to obtain an overall positive grade.

The overall assessment will be based on the following scheme: above 87,5 % Excellent; 75 to 87 % Good; 63,5 to 74,5 % Satisfactory; 50,5 to 63 % Sufficient; less than 50 % Insufficient.

The exams will be organized independently from the parallel courses "Grundlagen des Europarechts".

A basic knowledge of public law is a pre-requisite to join this course. It is recommended to have attended previously or to attend parallel courses in constitutional or administrative law.

Hinweis für ZAS-Incomings:

This course is primarily aimed at students of law. Participants should have a solid knowledge of law in general.

If you have a valid registration to the lecture, but will not participate, please unregister during the registration period of LPIS. Your place will be available for other students.
During the registration period free positions are filled according to the "first-come, first-served" principle.
After the registration period, students from the waiting list who don't yet have a valid registration will be assigned to available places in the specific courses based on their progress in their studies.

No registration to the lecture can be guaranteed.

andreas.orator@wu.ac.at

Administrative issues (esp. registration/deregistration) should be addressed to Corina Kruesz: corina.kruesz@wu.ac.at