Course

The European Union in the World - JURD7359

Faculty: Faculty of Law

School: Faculty of Law

Course Outline: See below

Campus: Sydney

Career: Postgraduate

Units of Credit: 6

EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)

Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 3

Enrolment Requirements:

Pre-requisite: 36 UOC of JURD courses for students enrolled prior to 2013. For students enrolled after 2013, pre-requisite: 72 UOC of JURD courses.

Excluded: LAWS8159

CSS Contribution Charge: 3 (more info)

Tuition Fee: See Tuition Fee Schedule

Further Information: See Class Timetable

View course information for previous years.

Description

This course explores the role of the European Union as an international actor. It examines its legal, economic and political relations with third countries and international organisations.
The course explores four main areas:
  • The constitutional aspects of EU international action. (In which areas can the EU act? To what extent does its action affect the international role of Member States? What type of agreements can the EU conclude? How intense is the scrutiny of the EU courts over such agreements?)
  • The relationship between international law and EU law. (What are the effects of international law over EU law? What is the relationship between the law of World Trade Organisation and EU law? Can individuals enforce international rules? What is the relationship between EU courts and other international and transnational courts?)
  • International economic relations. (Anti-dumping law, development, relations with countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the West Balkans, and the Mediterranean countries.)
  • International political relations. (Common Foreign and Security Policy, Common Security and Defence Policy, the links between trade and foreign policy such as economic sanctions, smart sanctions and their impact on fundamental human rights.)
The subject-matter of the course is highly topical and will be covered with strong emphasis on current affairs.

Course Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, students should be able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the EU international relations issues covered in the course in their constitutional, political and economic context;
  • Summarise the current state of doctrinal debate on the matters covered in the course;
  • Assess the interaction between various decision-making actors in the areas covered in the course;
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the different policy choices facing the decision-making actors in the areas covered in the course;
  • Demonstrate understanding of the interaction between law and politics in the areas covered in the course;
  • Participate appropriately in academic debate on matters covered in the course and make oral presentation of specialist material;
  • Interact with the other members of the seminar group, offering views, receiving information and modifying responses where appropriate.

Assessment

Class Participation - 15%

Presentation - 15%

Research Essay - 70%
International Square

Study Levels

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