The module provides the analytical tools to understand the legal system of the European Union (EU) and its functioning, bya ddressing its institutional features and some of the most recent developments.
The module will cover the following topics:
1) Evolution and main features of the European integration process and of the EU legal order in its historical evolution and in contemporary perspective
2) Analysis of the competences of the EU, of the principles of attribution, subsidiarity and proportionality
3) Analysis of the EU institutions, their competence and powers and decision-making procedures
4) Analysis of the sources of EU law, with particular emphasis on primary sources (Treaties, Charter of Fundamental Rights, general principles of the EU legal order) and secondary law (regulations, directives and decisions)
5) The relationship between the EU legal order and domestic law, with particular emphasis on the principles of direct effect and supremacy of EU law
6) Analysis of the functions of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the procedures before it, with specific reference to actions for the annulment, infringement proceedings and preliminary references
7) The protection of fundamental rights in the EU legal order
8) Foundations of the EU internal market and its four freedoms: free movement of goods, workers and persons, capital and the free provision of services)
9) The citizenship of the EU