European Union law
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At the time of producing this module description the procedure for the UK leaving the European Union has commenced but is not completed. Hopefully, when this presentation starts a clearer picture will have emerged. Whilst the focus of the module will remain as set out below, some details may require modification in order to accurately reflect the impact of the emergent changes.
This module will not only offer you intensive knowledge of different areas of European Union law, but it will also help you develop further academic and professional skills. The focus is law at European Union level looking at the workings of the EU Institutions, Court and its jurisprudence.
What you will study
This module explores the Law of the European Union (EU law) by focusing on differing themes. What makes this module unique is the perspective and structure. It will be different to other courses teaching EU law as the inspiration and intention is to teach the differing topics from a European perspective rather than from a UK perspective. This way, you will be given a more in depth view of EU law, with reference to the UK’s legal system where expected and needed. The organisation around themes will mean that the average approach to the teaching of European Union Law will be avoided. Principles such as direct effect and subsidiarity will be taught in a topical context to engage you in a lively discussion with your fellow students and the module team right from the beginning.
In addition to being taught the different aspects of EU law, you'll also be given various opportunities to apply and critical evaluate the law with and without reference to the UK’s legal system.
This module is presented in four blocks, each of which includes three units.
Block 1: Introduction to the framework
This block introduces the historic background of the European Union, as well as the institutions, principles and the law-making processes. The first unit of this module will introduce you to the module and the law, and also support your learning journey of EU law as a glossary. This first unit will therefore be unique as it will be structured according to key terms without necessarily have an overarching topical thread running through it.
Block 2: Principles and people
This block will add more to the aspects of EU law covered in Block one by introducing the single market and exploring citizenship as well as the EU’s approach towards discrimination.
Block 3: Free movement and politics
This block goes into even more depth and invites you to analyse the free movement provisions in detail as well as exploring the EU’s approach to policy making.
Block 4: European Union law in close-up,
This block will then add some more flesh to the bones of the EU structure you will have explored so far. Here you'll be engaging with topical discussions in environmental and competition law, while also looking at consumer rights.
Parallel to these units, you are going to explore the EU’s judiciary by following a case study. This study will be running parallel to the module content just mentioned, starting in your study week six. You'll be exploring one specific case decided by an EU court by following a series of activities on the Open Studio platform. Some of these activities will ask you to share your results with fellow students to allow and facilitate lively discussions and encourage peer review and feedback.
The delivery of content via the module website will be supported by online and face to face learning events. The face to face events are going to be delivered in the form of three day schools, which are spread across the module to prepare you directly for the various assessment points. There will be online equivalents for those events as well as additional online sessions supporting your skill development in certain areas.
You will learn
After studying this module you should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- concepts, rules and principles of European Union Law
- social, political, economic and historic dimensions of European Union Law
You should also be able to identify, apply and critically analyse:
- principles of European Union law
- different legal and policy arguments with relation to European Union law as articulated in public discourse, academic debate, case law and legal scholarship
Professional recognition
As a core module for the attainment of the LLB QLD at The Open University Law School, this module is recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
Entry requirements
In order to study this module, you must have successfully completed 60 credits of study at Stage 2.
This module will be of potential interest to you if you enjoy philosophy, politics, economics or social sciences, as well as traditional law. Because this is a Stage 3 Law module, it includes some complex legal ideas. It is therefore highly recommended that you have successfully completed at least 60 credits of law at Stage 2, such as either Contract law and tort law (W202) or Public law and criminal law (W203).
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
What's included
You’ll be provided with one text book and have access to a module website, which includes:
- a week-by-week study planner
- a module guide
- 12 online units divided into four blocks
- audio and video content
- assessment guide
- online tutorials and tutor group forums
- an electronic version of the textbook.
Computing requirements
A computing device with a browser and broadband internet access is required for this module. Any modern browser will be suitable for most computer activities. Functionality may be limited on mobile devices.
Any additional software will be provided, or is generally freely available. However, some activities may have more specific requirements. For this reason, you will need to be able to install and run additional software on a device that meets the requirements below.
A desktop or laptop computer with either an up-to-date version of Windows or macOS.
The screen of the device must have a resolution of at least 1024 pixels horizontally and 768 pixels vertically.
To join in the spoken conversation in our online rooms we recommend a headset (headphones or earphones with an integrated microphone).
Our Skills for OU study website has further information including computing skills for study, computer security, acquiring a computer and Microsoft software offers for students.