Unit information: Law and Policy of the European Union II in 2014/15

Unit name	Law and Policy of the European Union II
Unit code	LAWD30079
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Ms. Boeger
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	LAWD20023 Law and Policy of the EU I
Co-requisites	None
School/department	University of Bristol Law School
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

The course examines the legal foundations of the Single European Market; in doing so, it builds on LAWD20023 Law and Policy of the EU I. It examines how EU constitutional principles are applied in practice areas of topical significance. The course focuses on the law governing free movement of goods, persons, and services and examines the various ways in which EU law affects everyday life of citizens and traders. These areas touch upon questions of relevance to everyday life, such as: what rights does EU law confer on students? May one bring an unlimited amount of tobacco into the UK from another Member State? Why do UK pubs close so early, whereas bars in Spain are open all night? Are national governments free to prohibit Sunday trading? May a supermarket sell a pair of Levis at too low a price? Is a national restriction on advertising alcohol legal? By the end of the course, students should be able to analyse and apply substantive principles of EU law as developed by the Court of Justice, should be able to assess how substantive law of the EU is applied in national legal systems and should be able to appreciate its impact.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit, the student will be able, to a degree commensurate with the level at which the module is taught, to:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in their constitutional, political and economic context.

• Make a personal and reasoned judgment based on an informed understanding of standard arguments in the areas covered in the unit.

• Summarise the current state of doctrinal debate on the matters covered in the unit.

• Apply the knowledge acquired to complex legal issues and suggest solutions pursuant to properly substantiated arguments.

• Bring together materials from primary and secondary sources dealing with topics presented in the module and present them coherently.

• Assess critically the extent to which the law achieves its policy objectives in practice.

• Discuss the policy choices facing the decision-making actors in the areas covered in the unit.

• Interact with other members of the seminar group, offering views, receiving information and modifying responses where appropriate.

• Assess his/her progress during the semester, identify areas on which assistance is required and react on feedback given.

The examination includes both problem type and essay type questions, designed to assess both whether students were able to understand and apply the law across the breadth of the syllabus, and whether they were able to think critically about it.

Teaching Information

10 x 2 hour seminars plus enhancement sessions

Assessment Information

One three-hour closed book examination in May/June, in which students answer 3 questions (at least one essay and at least one problem) from a choice of 7 or 8 questions. Students will also have the opportunity to write up to two formative essays in the course of the year.

Reading and References

Craig and de Burca, EU Law Text Cases and Materials (OUP, 5th ed 2011); Barnard, The Substantive Law of the EU (OUP, 4th ed 2013)