LW3FEU: Foundations of EU Law

Module code: LW3FEU

Module provider: School of Law

Credits: 20

Level: 6

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Frances Hamilton , email: f.r.hamilton@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 12 May 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of the main institutional and constitutional features of the legal system of the EU. It aims to equip students with knowledge of core principles of the internal market and citizenship in the EU legal order. Moreover, the module aims to develop an understanding of contemporary challenges and successes of the EU.

The module is divided in three parts as follows.

Part 1: Institutional and constitutional legal order and core principles

The module will start with a brief introduction to the history of the EU and the nature of EU integration. The module then seeks to analyse the institutional and law-making structure of the EU, including the various sources of EU law. There is an analysis of some main concepts, such as democracy, legitimacy, competence and subsidiarity. Part 1 of the module further considers the relationship between the EU and national legal orders, focusing on the principles of direct effect and supremacy, and reflecting on the role of private enforcement of EU law obligations.

Part 2: Internal market and citizenship

Next the module analyses core principles of the internal market and citizenship in the EU legal order. The different types of individual rights under EU law are analysed and compared.

Part 3: Contemporary Issues

Lastly, the module introduces to contemporary challenges and successes of the EU as a regional and global actor. The topics covered could include the EU and the rule of law, EU consumer law, climate change and equal treatment and non-discrimination law in the EU legal order.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Explain and analyse the institutional and law-making structure of the EU;
2. Assess critically, the role of democracy and rights in EU governance;
3. Evaluate and critically asses the various doctrines and procedures for enforcing EU law;
4. Critically assess the core ideas of the EU’s single market and selected contemporary challenges the EU faces as a regional and global actor.

Module content

The module will start with an introduction to the history of the EU and to its institutional and law-making structure, including the various sources of EU law. This discussion will be set against a broader theoretical context centred around the concepts of democracy, legitimacy, subsidiarity and the general principles of EU law. The module will also consider the relationship between the EU law and the Member States’ national legal orders and discuss the EU’s relationship with non-Member States (including the UK). The final part of the module will consist of an analysis of contemporary issues of EU law.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

In Semester 1 there will normally be one 2-hour lectures per week (total 22 hours) thirteen hours of blended activity (13 in total) five 2-hour workshop once per fortnight (total 10 hours) and five 1-hour tutorial once per fortnight (total 5 hours) (total 50 hours contact time). The workshops and tutorials will involve structured group discussion and may involve the oral presentation of material and tasks related to assessment preparation. Students will analyse key case law and selected materials.

Study hours

At least 37 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered