Learning objectives
This course aims at providing the conceptual basis to understand, analyse and interpret the European Union legal order with specific reference to its most recent developments. In addition to classical themes - such as institutional and jurisdictional dynamics, fundamental rights, legislative procedures, citizenship and relations with the Italian legal system - particular attention will be devoted to the respect of the rule of law, the principle of participatory democracy, the principle of good administration and the role of the European Union in the management of global challenges, with particular regard to its external projection.
At the end of the course, students are expected to: a) have understood the legal-evolutionary trajectory of the European Union legal system; b) be able to apply the notions learned in solving practical cases; c) be able to independently assess the European Union's responses to global challenges; and d) be able to communicate the content of (a), (b) and (c) using the relevant technical language correctly.
Prerequisites
None
Course unit content
Origin and evolution of the EU integration process. Values and objectives of the EU. Accession and withdrawal. Focus 1: the rule of law. EU competences: the principles of conferral, subsidiarity and proportionality. The institutional framework: 1. The Parliament; 2. The Commission; 3. The Council and the European Council; 4. The Court of Justice of the EU; 5. The European Central Bank; 6. Consultative bodies. Focus 2: the European Ombudsman. The normative system. Treaties and revisions. Fundamental rights and the Charter. The ordinary legislative procedure and special procedures. Secondary law, binding and non-binding acts. Focus 3: the citizens’ initiative. The (primary and secondary) norms’ effects over individuals. The preliminary ruling. The infringement procedure. The annulment procedure. Other procedures. Citizenship and the free movement of persons. The principle of primacy and the law 234/2012. Focus 4: The common foreign defence policy and its external projection.
Full programme
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Bibliography
G. Strozzi, R. Mastroianni, Diritto dell’Unione europea. Parte istituzionale, 8° edizione aggiornata, 2020, Giappichelli. ALL.
Or, alternatively
R. Adam, A. Tizzano, Lineamenti di diritto dell’Unione europea. 5° edizione, 2022, Giappichelli, ALL.
Additional teaching materials (judgments, acts, etc.) will be uploaded on Elly.
Teaching methods
Taught classes are devoted to illustrating the fundamental notions of the EU legal order as stemming from the founding Treaties, from secondary law and from the case law of the Court of Justice. The interaction between the lecturer and the students is promoted though discussions and the joint analyses of practical cases, in order to favour a constructive dialogue informed to the respect of the appropriate technical terminology.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral assessment. The oral exam consists of three questions, aimed at: a) verifying the knowledge of basic notions; b) the ability to link basic notions amongst them, taking into account the current developments of EU law; c) deepening specific aspects of the subject matter at stake.
Following the learning outcomes, points a), b) and c) shall allow to evaluate the understanding of basic notions and their applicability both to practical cases and to evolutionary perspectives. Furthermore, the competence to communicate shall be evaluated with reference to precision, accuracy and mastery of technical terminology.
Other information
During the course, some seminars – held by other Professors and highlu qualified experts – will be organized.
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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