European Union Law
Code
711071057
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Estudos Políticos
Credits
6
Teacher in charge
Francisco Pereira Coutinho (FD/UNL)
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
The aim is to familiarize students with the European Union (EU), from the point of view of its genesis and the main milestones of its historical evolution, as well as of its fundamental values, attributions and powers and the human, material, and budgetary means.
It is necessary to provide, on the one hand, an overview of the EU institutional framework, its fundamental principles and its decision-making procedures. This includes an analysis of the EU institutions from the point of view of their formation, composition, competence and functioning. On the other hand, it is necessary to give an overview of the legal framework of
the EU and in particular of its system of sources of law, including the impact EU law produces in the legal orders of the Member States, according to certain methods and application techniques.
It is indispensable to complement the analysis with some essential aspects of EU material law, such as the European citizenship and the four fundamental freedoms.
Prerequisites
None.
Subject matter
Part I - The main steps of the evolution of European Integration
1. From the Coal and Steel Community to the European Union
Part II - Values, Principles and Fundamental Rights in the European Union
2. The Charter of Fundamental Rights.
3. The european citizenship.
Part III – The Institutional organization of the European Union
4. Institutions.
5. Decision-making procedures.
Parte IV – The Legal Order of the European Union
6. Sources of European Union law.
7. European Union law and national law.
8. The jurisdictional system of the European Union.
Bibliography
Ana Maria Guerra Martins, Manual de Direito da União Europeia, Almedina, Coimbra, 2012;
Alessandra Silveira e Mariana Canotilho (coord.), Carta dos Direitos Fundamentais da União Europeia, Almedina, Coimbra, 2013
D. Chalmers, G. Davies, G. Monti, European Union Law – Cases and Materials, 2ª
ed., Cambridge, 2011
Fausto de Quadros, Direito da União Europeia, 3ª Edição, Almedina, 2013
J. H. H. Weiler, “The Transformation of Europe” in The Yale Law Journal, vol. 100, 1991, p. 2405-2483;
Maria Luísa Duarte, União Europeia, Almedina, Coimbra, 2011;
Miguel Gorjão-Henriques, Direito da União, Almedina, Coimbra, 6.ª edição, 2010;
Nuno Piçarra (coord.), A União Europeia segundo o Tratado de Lisboa, reimpressão, Almedina, Coimbra, 2013;
Paul Craig e Gráinne De Búrca, The Evolution of EU Law, 2ª Edição, Oxford 2011
Paul Magnette, What is the European Union? Nature and Prospects, Nova Iorque, 2005;
T. C. Hartley, The Foundations of European Union Law, Oxford University Press, 7.ª ed., 2010.
Teaching method
Teaching in theoretic-practical classes permanently open to students participation and based upon interactive analysis of the texts whose knowledge is mandatory (provisions in force, historical texts, case-law, etc.). Practical classes include the analysis of case-law, the resolution of practical cases and comments on legal theory texts.
The working elements for each class are always indicated in advance. A prior preparation of the students for each class is always required.
Evaluation method
Students that regularly attend classes are evaluated by one test and by written presentations (maximum of 10% of the evaluation).