Course description
Course Description
The LLM in European Union Law offers an opportunity to acquire knowledge and understanding of the law of the European Union. The course covers a wide range of legal issues and staff try to present them in the context of their economic and philosophical background. There is a focus upon issues relating to EU enlargement; therefore the course should be of interest not only to those from the ‘old’ Member States but also students from the new accession and applicant States.
Modules and Options
The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.
Stage 1
BROADCASTING, TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND REGULATION
BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Core: DISSERTATION: LLM EUROPEAN COMMUNITY LAW
CYBERCRIME
DATA PROTECTION
EC BROADCASTING LAW AND POLICY
ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS
EQUALITY LAW, HUMAN RIGHTS AND HEALTH CARE
EUROPEAN BROADCASTING LAW AND POLICY
EUROPEAN COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT LAW
EUROPEAN COMMUNITY EXTERNAL RELATIONS
EUROPEAN COMPETITION LAW
EUROPEAN CONVENTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS I
EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
EUROPEAN UNION LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS
FREE MOVEMENT OF GOODS AND SERVICES IN THE INTERNAL MARKET
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, PRIVACY AND THE MEDIA
HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS
HEALTH CARE ETHICS
HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS NATIONS AND CULTURES
HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEVELOPMENT
HUMAN RIGHTS FOR WOMEN
HUMAN RIGHTS IN PHILOSOPHY AND LAW
HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE NEW EUROPE
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMPETITION LAW
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW IN THE ELECTRONIC ENVIRONMENT
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY
INTELLECTURAL PROPERTY AND THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRIES
INTERNATIONAL CHILD LAW
INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION 1
INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION II
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL AND MONETARY REGULATION
INTERNATIONAL LAW OF CREDIT AND SECURITY
INTERNATIONAL TAX LAW
INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND HUMAN RIGHTS
INTRODUCTION TO THE LAW OF ARMED CONFLICTS
ISSUES AT THE END OF LIFE
ISSUES IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
LAW AND CULTURAL PROPERTY
LAW OF INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING
LEGAL ASPECTS OF ELECTRONIC COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS
PHILOSOPHY, POLITICAL THEORY AND THE EUROPEAN UNION
PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW
PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFRICA
PROTECTION MINORITIES IN INTERNATIONAL LAW
PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW
RESEARCH METHODS IN PUBLIC LAW
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND COMPETITION
THE ECONOMICS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
THE INTER-AMERICAN SYSTEM OF HUMAN RIGHTS
THE PROTECTION OF REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS IN INTERNATIONAL LAW
THEORY AND PRACTICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS
TOPICS IN THE LAW OF ARMED CONFLICT
TRADING IN DIGITAL GOODS AND SERVICES
Teaching and Assessment Methods
A: Knowledge and Understanding
Learning Outcomes
A1 : The fundamental doctrines and principles of European Community law.
A2 : The political, economic and social framework in which European Community law operates.
A3 : How European Community law is applied in various judicial and practical situations.
A4 : Some areas of European Community law in some depth.
A5 : The geopolitical, economic and social framework in which international human rights law operates.
Teaching Methods
A1 - A5 are acquired through large and smaller group interactive classes, which encourage dialogue between the students and teacher and between the students inter se, and through seminars which allow for dynamic interaction based on directed, pre-set reading. Additional guest lectures from specialists outside the department supplement the information provided to the students in relation to topical issues and practical aspects of the law in this area. Students are expected to undertake independent research for courses and, in particular, course essays and the dissertation. A5 is acquired in particular through the independent research for the dissertation, which is focussed on a particular topic.
Assessment Methods
Testing the knowledge-base for A1 - A4 is through course essays and the dissertation. A5 is assessed through the dissertation.
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
Learning Outcomes
B1 : Identify accurately the issue(s) which require researching.
B2 : Apply relevant primary and secondary legal sources.
B3 : Reason critically, identify, analyse, and solve complex problems, even in the absence of complete data.
B4 : Recognise, rank and collate items and issues in terms of relevance and importance.
B5 : Produce a comprehensive, coherent and sophisticated synthesis of relevant doctrinal and policy issues in relation to a topic.
B6 : Critically evaluate the merits of particular arguments and advanced scholarship in the field.
B7 : Present and make a reasoned choice between alternative solutions or methodologies and, where necessary, propose new hypotheses.
B8 : Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgments in the absence of complete data, and communicate his/her conclusions clearly.
B9 : Demonstrate and exercise originality of thought in the application of knowledge.
Teaching Methods
Skills B1 - B9 are obtained and developed through seminars and larger group interactive classes where there is an emphasis on group discussion and analysis of case material and problems (hypothetical and actual) under the direction of the course tutor. All skills are complemented by class-independent research for course essays and the dissertation. In addition, learning is enhanced by formative assessment of Skills B1, B3 and B7 in seminars and large group interactive classes. B9 is encouraged via individual supervision of each student's dissertation.
Assessment Methods
Skills B1 - B8 will be acquired through course essays and the dissertation. Skill B9 will be assessed by the dissertation.
C: Practical Skills
Learning Outcomes
C1 : Identify, select and retrieve up-to-date legal information, using both paper and electronic sources.
C2 : Identify, select and retrieve non-legal information relevant to the law relating to electronic communications, using both paper and electronic sources.
C3 : Use and apply legal terminology and legal concepts, not only in legal settings, but to applied problems, actual or hypothetical.
C4 : Plan and undertake tasks in and beyond complex areas of law that have already been studied; and plan and autonomously undertake independent research in areas of law not previously studied.
Teaching Methods
Skills C1 and C2 are developed through preparation for seminars and the large group interactive classes, as well as through research for the course essays and dissertation. Skills C3 and C4 are developed through seminars by way of the medium of problem solving and group discussion. Skill C4 is particularly developed through course essays and the dissertation. Skills C1 - C4 are formatively assessed in tutorials, large group interactive classes, and the dissertation, which assessment reinforces their learning by students. Skill C4 is particularly developed through the dissertation. In addition to traditional research methods, students are expected to use the internet and legal databases when researching their assessed work in order to find primary and secondary sources, either in on-line or paper format.
Assessment Methods
Skills C1 - C4 are assessed through course essays and the dissertation.
D: Key Skills
Learning Outcomes
D1 : A student should be able to: (D1A) read and speak English proficiently so as to be able to understand and explain relevant primary and secondary legal materials; (D1B) present knowledge or an argument in a clear, coherent and relevant manner; (D1C) analyse legal materials that are complex and technical.
D2 : A student should be able to: (D2A) Produce a word-processed essay and other text in an appropriate form; (D2B) Use the worldwide web, e-mail, and also some electronic information retrieval systems.
D3 : A student should be able to: (D3) Where relevant and as the basis for an argument, use, present and evaluate information provided in numerical or statistical form.
D4 : A student should be able to: (D4A) analyse a complex set of facts, where necessary in unpredictable situations, and apply relevant law thereto; (D4B) from first principles, devise from existing laws a means by which to extend protection in a sphere where there has been none previously e.g. as a result of technical developments.
D5 : Students do work together in all courses, but it is not assessed, so it cannot be recorded as a skill acquired though this LLM.
D6 : A student should be able: (D6A) with limited guidance, to reflect on his or her own learning, and to seek and make use of feedback; (D6B) to appreciate when s/he does not know enough and needs to undertake further research; (D6C) to continue to take his/her own knowledge and understanding further and to develop new skills to a sophisticated standard; (D6D) to exercise initiative and personal responsibility.
Teaching Methods
Skills D1 - D6 are acquired through seminars and case studies where students debate legal issues and problems, course essays and the dissertation. By focussing on research essays as the primary means of assessment, our graduates are trained to conduct independent research, and organise and collate this research into coherent papers, a skill which is then developed during the planning, researching and writing of the dissertation. In this way they develop the legal analytical skills acquired in exam based LLB undergraduate courses. Increasingly information relating to the degree is disseminated via e-mail, thus encouraging students to use skills D2; legal databases are also more up-to-date than their paper equivalents, which again encourages students to use the technology.
Assessment Methods
Skills D1 - D4 and D6 are assessed through course essays and the dissertation.
