Unit information: EU International Relations Law in 2011/12

Unit name	EU International Relations Law
Unit code	LAWDM0087
Credit points	30
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Professor. Koutrakos
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	University of Bristol Law School
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This Unit explores the role of the European Union as an international actor. It examines the legal, economic and political relations of the European Union with third countries and international organisations. The Unit explores four main areas. First, it examines the main constitutional and institutional rules and principles underpinning the EU external action (eg international legal personality, the scope of EC external powers, mixed agreements, the negotiation, conclusion and implementation of international agreements). Second, it examines the relationship between EU and international law (eg the legal effects of international rules within the EU legal order with particular emphasis on WTO Agreements, the rights of individuals, the role of the European Court of Justice and national courts). Third, it studies specific external policies (such as anti-dumping, development, Agreements concluded with the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the West Balkans, the Mediterranean countries). Fourth, the Unit examines the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the European Security and Defence Policy.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit, the student should be able to:

• demonstrate understanding of the EU external relations issues covered in the Unit in their constitutional, political and economic context;

• summarise the current state of doctrinal debate on the matters covered in the unit;

• assess the interaction between various decision-making actors in the areas covered in the unit;

• demonstrate an awareness of the different policy choices facing the decision-making actors in the areas covered in the unit;

• demonstrate understanding of the interaction between law and politics in the areas covered in the unit;

• participate appropriately in academic debate on matters covered in the unit 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;

• assess his/her progress during the year, identify areas on which assistance is required and react on feedback given.

Teaching Information

10 x 2 hour seminars

Assessment Information

One three-hour closed book examination in May/June, in which students answer 3 questions (worth 67%); and one 3,000 word piece of coursework (worth 33%)

Reading and References

Koutrakos, EU International Relations Law (Hart Publishing, 2006). Eeckhourt, EU External Relations Law (OUP, 2nd ed).