Course syllabus

EU Law and the Constitutions of the Member States, Second Cycle, 15 credits

Course code: RV806A Credits: 15
Main field of study: Law Progression: A1N
    Last revised: 13/03/2020
Education cycle: Second cycle Approved by: Head of school
Established: 07/01/2020 Reading list approved: 13/03/2020
Valid from: Autumn semester 2020 Revision: 1

Aims and objectives

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall

  • further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
  • develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
  • develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

Course objectives

The course's main objective is to offer the students a deeper knowledge about EU Constitutional Law, with particular focus on the latest developments, and to develop his or her ability to discuss issues related to the public law dimension of EU law. At the completion of the course the student shall be able to

  • read, understand and analyse scientific writings dealing with the EU and judgments of the EU courts from a critical approach,
  • understand the internal dynamics of the EU's decision-making processes and the functioning and role of its courts,
  • discuss and argue with a critical approach issues related to the EU's legal system,
  • write relevant comments on judgments, on scholarly articles and on important events in collaboration with others, and
  • express an opinion about and argue for or against a judgment of the EU courts and critically discuss scholarly opinions.

Main content of the course

The discussed topics include the division of powers between the different EU institutions, the division of competences between the EU and its member states, the EU's law-making process, the relationships between the EU and individuals and between the EU legal order and the member states' legal systems. Each issue is discussed in the light of relevant legal doctrine and case-law.

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminars and a written exam. The student is expected to follow the practice of EU courts and comment on recent judgments, scholarly articles and news related to the EU's constitutional dimension in small groups, in the form of posts to be published in a blog created on purpose for the course: http://eulaworebro.wordpress.com.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Written Exam, 7.5 credits (Code: A001)
Written examination.

Obligatory Requirements, 5 credits (Code: A002)
Blog posts. If a student does not reach the passing grade, but is close to a passing grade, the examiner may decide on completion and give the student instructions to be implemented within one week from when the student is assigned the instruction.

Individual Assignments, 2.5 credits (Code: A003)
Oral presentations. If a student does not reach the passing grade, but is close to a passing grade, the examiner may decide on completion and give the student instructions to be implemented within one week from when the student is assigned the instruction.


For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

In accordance with university regulations regarding grading systems for first and second-cycle courses (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades shall be used: Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). For courses that are included in an international Master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the grading scale of A-F shall be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds.

Grades used on course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Written Exam
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Obligatory Requirements
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Individual Assignments
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

The course grade will be a weighted average of all examinations’ grades.

Specific entry requirements

180 credits at the first level out of which 90 credits with increasing depth within law, including an essay (G2E) of 15 credits; alternatively 180 credits at the first level of which 90 credits with increasing depth within political science, including an essay (G2E) of 15 credits. Additional requirements: English Course 6/English Course B.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Other provisions

The course is given in English.

Transitional provisions

For a course that has been cancelled or significantly changed in content or scope, there may be examinations on three occasions within 12 to 18 months after the changes have been made.

Reading list and other teaching materials

Required Reading

Schütze, Robert senaste upplagan
European Constitutional Law
Cambridge University Press, 484 pages

Additions to and Comments on the Reading List

Additional materials of maximum 500 pages, such as articles and cases, are also part of the required readings.