Institutional European law

Duration

45h Th

Number of credits

Lecturer

Nicolas Petit

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course offers a comprehensive analysis of the European Union's institutional and jurisdictional system. The course provides an in-depth analysis of the way European institutions work (i.e. internal organisation, functioning, evolution, development) as well as a comprehensive approach on specific procedures and legal questions of European Law.
The first part describes the main EU's political goals. The second part presents the system of legal rules that was created to achieve these objectives. The third part presents the institutional and state bodies involved in the EU project, with detailed explanations regarding their respective roles. The fourth part develops the European Union's competences. Finally, the fifth part analyses the legislative procedures, the procedures for revising the Treaties as well as the different litigation mechanisms.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of the course, students will  know more about the major phases of European construction, and will be able to understand the institutional architecture of the European Union.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Students must have completed the first-year course on "Introduction to Public law" in order to follow this course (except Erasmus students).
First-year Bachelor students wishing to follow this course must have successfully completed the exam of Introduction to Public Law.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course is based on ex cathedra classes (i.e. lectures). Students are invited to complete mandatory readings prior to some classes. A discussion on the readings will follow in class. The reading list will be published on MyULiège every week.
One training session will also be organised at the end of the semester to prepare students for the exam. An additional lecture will be give by a student assistant.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Classroom lectures given during the first semester.

Recommended or required readings

The Treaty on European Union (TEU) and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) are essential readings to follow this course.
There are mandatory readings to prepare prior to some classes. A list of questions will generally be attached to provide students with some guidance on important matters. Mandatory readings are sent to students prior to class. They together form a documentation file that will be made available to students electronically by the end of the semester.
Detailed slides following the course's structure will be provided to students during the semester, as a supplement to lecture classes.
Students may bring the TEU, TFEU and documentation package to the exam, provided they comply with instructions (see section on assessment methods, below).

Assessment methods and criteria

The material covered during lectures, as well as the documentation package, are required for the exam.
The exam is held in January and consists in a multiple-choice test. Students have three hours to answer all questions. Non-French speaking students enrolled at the University of Liège as a part of an interfaculty convention will be entitled to a half hour extra.
The grading system is as follows: one point is added per correct answer, half a point is subtracted per incorrect answer, and zero for no answer.
Only the documentation package, the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) - with their accompanying protocols, appendices and declarations - are permitted during the exam. Only the official versions of these documents may be used. They can be purchased at the Presses Universitaires, or printed by the students.
Non-French speaking students enrolled at the University of Liège as a part of an interfaculty convention are entitled to use a printed version of both the TEU and TFEU in their native language. Only the official versions of these documents may be used. They may also bring a bilingual dictionary (French-their native language).
The documents may only be underlined or highlighted. Post-it notes, even if blank, are strictly forbidden, as are any handwritten notes, including arrows and article references.
Documents will be checked during the exam. Any student using non-compliant documents will be excluded from the exam room and receive a zero mark, without prejudice to possible disciplinary sanctions.
 
Extra ECTS credits for Erasmus students
Erasmus students who need extra ECTS credits can submit a paper on a certain topic related to Institutional Law of the EU (2 ECTS). Students concerned should contact Ms. Sandrine Mathieu by October 3, 2018 by e-mail at the following address: sandrine.mathieu@uliege.be. More information on the subjects, agenda and required will be communicate to students in the first week of October.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

This course is given during the first semester, with 2-hour session given twice a week.

Contacts

For any questions about the course, students may contact assistant Ms. Sandrine Mathieu, by e-mail only, at the following address: sandrine.mathieu@uliege.be
Questions will be answered either by e-mail, or in person by Ms Sandrine Mathieu in her office (building 33 (Trifac), 2nd floor, IEJE hallway). Students requesting a meeting should send a list of questions by e-mail, 48 hours before the meeting at the latest. If questions are not received by this time, the meeting will be cancelled.