European Policies

Teacher(s)

Francq Stéphanie; Leboeuf Luc (compensates Francq Stéphanie); Marique Enguerrand;

Language

French

Main themes

The course focuses on the harmonisation of laws within the EU, as well as on the core impacts of the various EU policies. It analyses the reasons and conditions of the harmonization in each sector. It questions harmonisation's usefulness, its feasibility, and its results. The concept of regulatory competition provides a red line of the reasoning.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	The course aims at providing students with a better understanding of their legal environment. It offers an analysis of the legal issue common to all European policies, i.e. the harmonization of law. As such, it is a support to the understanding of other specific courses focusing specific aspects of EU substantive law.

Content

The course shows and questions the role of secondary legislation in the integration process of the European Union. The course is based on the hypothesis of integration through law, which it places in a contemporary context by integrating questions about European governance and the role of secondary legislation. Different sectoral policies of the EU and different normative projects of the EU are presented under a legal angle in order to better understand the difficulties linked to the conception of secondary legislation in the Union. The course consists of two parts. The first part presents the general policy of approximation of national legislation and the specific powers of the different matters falling within the sphere. This part includes a discussion of the different modalities of harmonization and their stakes. The second part analyses in more detail one or other of the Union's current legislative initiatives. In this part, European officials are invited to share their experience about a recent EU act.

Teaching methods

The course is based on the Socratic method and is therefore largely interactive. Students will be required to do relatively extensive reading every week. The documents read will be discussed during the session (CJEU rulings, regulations, directives, articles of doctrine etc). It is therefore essential to complete the readings before the class. Students may be asked to make oral presentations in groups during the sessions. The course is taught in French.
At least a passive knowledge of English is essential in order to read a series of law and political sciences journal articles in English and to attend the presentations given by external speakers (e.g. European officials).

Evaluation methods

A written exam will be given in session. The student will be able to use the reading file that has been made available.

Other information

A general course on EU Law is a prerequisite

Faculty or entity

BUDR