Students gain sound knowledge of foundations of European and international law, institutions and governance. Students understand the relevance of law in the context of socio-ecological policies and for transformations as well as the function and constraints of law as a regulatory tool. They understand how international agreements in various fields function and how they interact with other legal systems. Students acquire insights into the working of international and EU institutions as well as current attempts at institutional reform, both at the European and international level. They understand key features of EU multi-level governance and the complex interplay of domestic and European actors in EU law- and decision-making. Students can analyze and evaluate existing institutional arrangements and governance structures and develop creative ideas for alternative approaches.

Students improve their academic writing skills and are able to develop and present well-founded arguments in academic discussions. They are able to reflect critically on academic and policy papers and present complex topics in a concise manner. Finally, they are able to reflect on their own performance and to give constructive peer-feedback.

For lectures, attendance is mandatory. 

For interactive sessions, there is a 50% attendance requirement. This equals attendance of one interactive session per week. For organisational reasons, obligatory time slots will be assigned to students (rotating on a weekly basis). Further information and details as regards the rotation will be provided at the beginning of the semester.

Over the course of the semester, students are allowed to miss one lecture and one interactive session.

The course combines lecture-type sessions and interactive sessions on a weekly basis. The lecture-type sessions introduce students to new topics, while the interactive sessions open the floor to in-class discussions based on readings assigned and require active student participation.

In preparation for both lecture-type and interactive sessions, students are required to read the literature assigned on a weekly basis.

Evaluation criteria: study reports, written exam, active in-class participation, self-assessment, peer-assessment.

Details on grading:

- Students have to hand in two study reports. The study reports account for 40% of the final grade (each study report 20%).

- Students have to submit a blind peer-assessment of one anonymized study report, accounting for 10% of their (own) final grade.

- Students have to sit a written exam, accounting for 20% of the final grade.

- Active in-class participation in the interactive sessions accounts for 20% of the final grade. Quality of contributions and/or familiarity with the assigned readings are of crucial importance.

- Performance in student-led debate (per group), accounting for 10% of the final grade.

NB. SEEP courses do not allow creation of assignments, exam answers or other assessed work using generative AI. All such work is expected to be the original work by the student concerned and is assessed as such. Work copied from a generative AI source is equivalent to plagiarism and will be treated as such.

The final grade is calculated the following way: 0-50% = 5 (fail), 51-63%=4, 64-76%=3, 77-89%=2, 90-100%=1 (excellent)

In addition, there is a basic pass/fail course attendance requirement. That is, you cannot miss more than one lecture and one interactive session over the course of the entire semester. This allowance is for serious unforeseen circumstances. If you cannot come to class, please inform the tutor in due time.