Eu Law
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide a comprehensive and enduring overview of the European Union as a legal phenomenon. This means to learn how to understand and describe the relationships between the EU and Member States, private individuals, and the rest of the world, with the categories and the language of the law in general (right/obligation), and of EU law in particular (attribution, direct effect, primacy). The legal approach of the course is different but complementary to those typical of other sciences, such as politics, history, economy, taught in other courses of the same degree course.
The aim of the course is to provide a comprehensive and enduring overview of the European Union as a legal phenomenon. This means to learn how to understand and describe the relationships between the EU and Member States, private individuals, and the rest of the world, with the categories and the language of the law in general (right/obligation), and of EU law in particular (attribution, direct effect, primacy). The legal approach of the course is different but complementary to those typical of other sciences, such as politics, history, economy, taught in other courses of the same degree course.
Expected learning outcomes
Students are expected to acquire an understanding of the European Union as a legal phenomenon and the proper technical language necessary to describe it. They will become familiar with the EU institutional framework, decision-making process, sources and their effects, and remedies, and will become capable to apply the knowledge acquired by critically assessing real-life cases, in order to understand whether the EU can act in a given scenario, which kind of decisions it can adopt, when EU legislation applies, which right/obligation it establishes and for whom, which remedies are available in case of a breach of EU law. Case studies, presentations, simulation games will be available for attending students, as part of a dynamic process of learning, involving interactive feedback between the learner and educator.
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
I. What is the European Union?
From the Schuman Declaration to the present: a brief history of European integration and the legal nature of the European Union.
II. Who is the European Union?
The EU institutions, the role of the Member States, and the citizenship of the European Union.
III. What can the European Union do?
The principle of conferral and the distribution of competences between the EU and the Member States: exclusive, shared, and supporting competences; the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP); and the Union's external competences.
IV. How does the European Union work?
The institutional balance and decision-making procedures: revision of the Treaties, adoption of EU legal acts, and interinstitutional dynamics.
V. What is the legal value of EU law?
Sources of EU law: primary and secondary law, their direct and indirect effects, and the normative hierarchy within the legal systems of the Member States, with particular attention to the Italian legal order.
VI. What happens when Member States do not comply with EU law?
Judicial and political control over Member States: infringement procedures and the role of the European Commission and the Court of Justice of the European Union.
VII. What happens when the European Union does not comply with the Treaties and secondary legislation?
Judicial review of the actions of the EU institutions.
From the Schuman Declaration to the present: a brief history of European integration and the legal nature of the European Union.
II. Who is the European Union?
The EU institutions, the role of the Member States, and the citizenship of the European Union.
III. What can the European Union do?
The principle of conferral and the distribution of competences between the EU and the Member States: exclusive, shared, and supporting competences; the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP); and the Union's external competences.
IV. How does the European Union work?
The institutional balance and decision-making procedures: revision of the Treaties, adoption of EU legal acts, and interinstitutional dynamics.
V. What is the legal value of EU law?
Sources of EU law: primary and secondary law, their direct and indirect effects, and the normative hierarchy within the legal systems of the Member States, with particular attention to the Italian legal order.
VI. What happens when Member States do not comply with EU law?
Judicial and political control over Member States: infringement procedures and the role of the European Commission and the Court of Justice of the European Union.
VII. What happens when the European Union does not comply with the Treaties and secondary legislation?
Judicial review of the actions of the EU institutions.
Prerequisites for admission
Public law is preparatory to EU Law.
The course is addressed to students who are already familiar with the fundamental concepts of law, in particular of International Law. Having taken the exam of International Law is highly recommended.
The course is addressed to students who are already familiar with the fundamental concepts of law, in particular of International Law. Having taken the exam of International Law is highly recommended.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods:
Lectures, aimed at providing students with a solid theoretical and legal understanding of the European Union's main institutional and legal frameworks;
Case law analysis, discussed in class to support the understanding and application of legal principles to concrete situations;
Role-playing simulations, involving students in the reconstruction of EU institutional decision-making processes (e.g., European Parliament debates, directive negotiations), with the aim of developing problem-solving, teamwork, and institutional communication skills;
Drafting of simulated legal documents, such as a complaint to the European Ombudsman, to enhance students' legal writing and procedural understanding;
Guided discussions and group work, promoting peer interaction and critical re-elaboration of content;
Use of multimedia materials, such as institutional videos, to provide an immersive understanding of the historical and political development of the European Union.
All teaching materials, including further readings, optional documents, official EU sources, and multimedia content, are made available through the Ariel platform, the University's dedicated site for course materials and e-learning.
Attendance is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended, especially for students who wish to take part in role-playing activities and benefit from the additional assessment criteria reserved for attending students.
The teaching methods adopted are consistent with the intended learning outcomes, which include not only the acquisition of theoretical knowledge but also the development of critical thinking and practical application skills. The course is designed to foster independent judgment, communication abilities, and the ability to apply legal knowledge in real institutional contexts.
Lectures, aimed at providing students with a solid theoretical and legal understanding of the European Union's main institutional and legal frameworks;
Case law analysis, discussed in class to support the understanding and application of legal principles to concrete situations;
Role-playing simulations, involving students in the reconstruction of EU institutional decision-making processes (e.g., European Parliament debates, directive negotiations), with the aim of developing problem-solving, teamwork, and institutional communication skills;
Drafting of simulated legal documents, such as a complaint to the European Ombudsman, to enhance students' legal writing and procedural understanding;
Guided discussions and group work, promoting peer interaction and critical re-elaboration of content;
Use of multimedia materials, such as institutional videos, to provide an immersive understanding of the historical and political development of the European Union.
All teaching materials, including further readings, optional documents, official EU sources, and multimedia content, are made available through the Ariel platform, the University's dedicated site for course materials and e-learning.
Attendance is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended, especially for students who wish to take part in role-playing activities and benefit from the additional assessment criteria reserved for attending students.
The teaching methods adopted are consistent with the intended learning outcomes, which include not only the acquisition of theoretical knowledge but also the development of critical thinking and practical application skills. The course is designed to foster independent judgment, communication abilities, and the ability to apply legal knowledge in real institutional contexts.
Teaching Resources
For attending and non-attending students:
- the texts of the Treaty on the European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the Union are available on the course's website on the Ariel platform.
- R. Baratta, Institutions of EU Law, Wolters Kluwer, 2024.
- the texts of the Treaty on the European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the Union are available on the course's website on the Ariel platform.
- R. Baratta, Institutions of EU Law, Wolters Kluwer, 2024.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment method:
Assessment is based on a final oral exam, consisting of an individual interview aimed at assessing students' knowledge, understanding and ability to critically analyse the main institutions of European Union law, with reference to both the theoretical framework and its practical application.
Assessment for attending students: For attending students, the final assessment also takes into account active participation in the teaching activities planned during the course, including: Participation in role-playing exercises (e.g. European Parliament, decision-making process on directives); Drafting of simulated documents (e.g. complaint to the European Ombudsman); Individual or group contributions during lessons, including in the form of exercises or oral answers; Active participation in guided discussions and analysis of practical cases. The quality of the commitment and content expressed in these activities will affect the final mark, provided that the oral exam is satisfactory.
Intermediate test (optional for all): There will be a midterm written exam, open to both attending and non-attending students, which will take place halfway through the course, lasting one and a half hours and will consist of: 3 open questions (marked 0-10 each) on the following topics: 1. History of European integration and nature of the European Union; 2. Institutions of the European Union; 3. Competences of the European Union.
1 multiple-choice question worth one bonus point (on one of the three topics listed above). If passed, the intermediate test will contribute to the final grade together with the oral exam.
Assessment criteria: Knowledge of the theoretical and regulatory content of European Union law; Ability to argue and critically rework ideas; Ability to link rules, principles and real cases; Quality of presentation and correct use of legal terminology.
Type of assessment: The mark is expressed out of 30 (30/30). A minimum mark of 18/30 is required to pass the exam. The maximum mark (30 with honours) is reserved for excellent performance in all respects.
Results Communication: The midterm test results will be communicated on Ariel and during lessons. The oral exam results will be communicated directly at the end of the interview.
Assessment is based on a final oral exam, consisting of an individual interview aimed at assessing students' knowledge, understanding and ability to critically analyse the main institutions of European Union law, with reference to both the theoretical framework and its practical application.
Assessment for attending students: For attending students, the final assessment also takes into account active participation in the teaching activities planned during the course, including: Participation in role-playing exercises (e.g. European Parliament, decision-making process on directives); Drafting of simulated documents (e.g. complaint to the European Ombudsman); Individual or group contributions during lessons, including in the form of exercises or oral answers; Active participation in guided discussions and analysis of practical cases. The quality of the commitment and content expressed in these activities will affect the final mark, provided that the oral exam is satisfactory.
Intermediate test (optional for all): There will be a midterm written exam, open to both attending and non-attending students, which will take place halfway through the course, lasting one and a half hours and will consist of: 3 open questions (marked 0-10 each) on the following topics: 1. History of European integration and nature of the European Union; 2. Institutions of the European Union; 3. Competences of the European Union.
1 multiple-choice question worth one bonus point (on one of the three topics listed above). If passed, the intermediate test will contribute to the final grade together with the oral exam.
Assessment criteria: Knowledge of the theoretical and regulatory content of European Union law; Ability to argue and critically rework ideas; Ability to link rules, principles and real cases; Quality of presentation and correct use of legal terminology.
Type of assessment: The mark is expressed out of 30 (30/30). A minimum mark of 18/30 is required to pass the exam. The maximum mark (30 with honours) is reserved for excellent performance in all respects.
Results Communication: The midterm test results will be communicated on Ariel and during lessons. The oral exam results will be communicated directly at the end of the interview.
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tuesdays from 14.30 to 16.30 by appointment to be scheduled by e-mail (ginevra.greco@unimi.it)
Room 23, III floor, Department DILHPS