Module: EU Institutional Law

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	EU Institutional Law
Module Code	LAW1059 (ITS: LG5024)
Faculty	Law & Government	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

The course examines some key features of the legal order of the European Union (EU) with the aim to deepen students’ understanding of the interaction between law and policy in the EU. Classes will focus on several dimensions of the EU constitutional system, exploring the institutional architecture of the EU (the executive, the legislature and the courts), the interaction between the EU and the national legal orders – as well as a number of substantive policy areas, including economic governance and the rule of law. The course will also offer students the possibility to debate in depth several recent legal and political developments, which are taking place in the EU and currently are attracting heightened public attention – notably the challenges of maintaining the unity of the Union in the face of growing centrifugal pressures.

Learning Outcomes

1.  understand key developments in the process of European integration
2.  critically assess and analyse the complex and nuanced nature of the institutional structure of the EU legal order
3.  A detailed understanding of recent constitutional developments in European law and integration in their political context
4.  Research EU law and to be able to use databases of the various institutions effectively.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Lecture attendance including active participation, contributing to discussions and debate (22 hrs) (2 hrs x 11 = 22)
Independent Study	200	Including preparation, research and writing of research paper.
Class Presentation	28	In class presentation of a chapter assigned by the instructor
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	10905	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Ian Cooper	Module Teacher	Federico Fabbrini, Niels Kirst

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Extended Essay / Dissertation	The course is assessed by means of a single assignment of 4000 words . A choice of three essay titles will be presented from which students chose one. Students will be expected to carry out independent research and address the topic from an original perspective	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction

EU Executive Power

EU Legislative Power

EU Judicial Power

Euro-Crisis: Economic Policy

Euro-Crisis: Monetary Policy

Brexit: Withdrawal

Brexit: UK Effects

Brexit: EU Effects

Conclusion: Future of Europe

Indicative Reading List

Books:

CRAIG, Paul & DE BURCA, Grainne: 2015, EU Law, 6, OUP,
FABBRINI, Federico: 2016, Economic Governance in Europe, OUP,
FABBRINI, Federico: 2017, The Law and Politics of Brexit, OUP,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None