BALV3500 EU Law and Politics Course description

This course discusses the most important legal aspects and political dynamics of the European Union (EU). The focus is on its legal foundations, institutional structure and decision-making processes. At the end of the course the student will be able to understand and critically assess core issues arising in the field of EU Law, the development of the EU’s political system, and the main political dynamics that characterize the European context. Emphasis is given to the EEA Agreement and to the relationship between Norway and the European Union.

Language of instruction is English.

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After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has knowledge of

• the European Union and the EEA: historical development, theories of European integration, Treaties, etc.
• topics of EU and EEA Law: legal sources, effects of EU legislation in the national systems, the EEA Agreement, free movement of people, etc.
• the functioning of the EU institutional framework: composition and competences of the institutions, procedures, inter-institutional relations and main political dynamics that characterize the decision-making processes
• topical issues: democracy, relationship between Norway and the EU, current issues in the European context

Skills

The student is able to

• demonstrate understanding of the European integration process
• solve basic legal questions of EU Law independently, identifying and utilizing relevant legal sources
• analyze and illustrate how the institutional structure and decision-making processes of the EU work

General competence

The student is able to

• understand and critically assess core issues in the European context
• use specialized terminology and write on the topics studied
• retrieve legal sources using international databases

The course is based on lectures, group work, assignments, and self-study.

The following coursework requirements must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• Coursework 1: The students, working individually or in groups, are required to submit a written work of maximum 1200 words. The groups, topics and deadline will be decided by the lecturer and announced on Canvas during the course.

The purpose of the coursework is the development of skills specified under learning outcomes.

All required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam. If the coursework requirement has not been approved, the student will be given the opportunity to submit an improved version one time by the given deadline.  

The exam in the course is a home exam over a period of 3 hours.

The candidates can write their answers in English or Norwegian.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grade scale A - F

The exam papers are assessed by one internal and one external examiner.

At least 25% of the exam papers will be assessed by two examiners. The grades awarded for the papers assessed by two examiners form the basis for determining the level for all the exam papers.

Diego Praino