European Integration through Law

The class is designed for students of European studies who may not have a legal background or may have limited knowledge of EU law. It aims to provide them with a comprehensive and dynamic overview of the European Union's legal system, without claiming to be exhaustive. 

Its objective is to illustrate through selected examples how European integration has been shaped, and continues to evolve, notably through the adoption of legal instruments and case law, as well as new methods, which participate in making the EU a unique legal framework. 

The course will address the following issues 
-  Lawmaking in the EU: key principles and sources of EU law*
-  Controlling the respect for EU law: judicial protection and the role of EU courts 
-  The force of EU law in national legal orders: primacy, direct and indirect effect of EU law
-  EU law in practice (with a focus on selected policies)

* The procedures applicable to the adoption of EU instruments are addressed in the course POLI-D409 - Decision-making in the EU

The course is designed both for students who plan to work in the field of EU affairs in Brussels or elsewhere, and those who aim to undertake research in this field. Upon successful completion of this course, students will acquire the following knowledge and skills:

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of key concepts of EU law, such as the principle of conferral of competences, direct effect, the primacy of EU law, etc. 
• An ability to read and understand EU legislative instruments and judgments.
• An ability to critically analyse and explain the legal arguments developed in judgments of the Court of Justice of the EU. 
• A thorough understanding of the main controversies and topical issues related to European integration, such as tensions on the extent of the EU's competences in certain fields, the role of the CJEU in interpreting EU law, etc. 

Connaissances et compétences pré-requises ou co-requises

A basic knowledge about the EU, notably the role of the EU institutions, is recommended but not mandatory. 

The course is composed of lectures, including eventually lectures given by guest lecturers. Lectures are structured around key topics, and for each topic, resources, such as academic articles, extracts of judgments of the Court of the justice of the EU, etc., will be provided online via the Virtual University. Wooclap will regularly be used to test and verify the good understanding of the key issues addressed. 

Students are invited to follow closely and regularly topical issues in European affairs. A list of websites and resources will be shared via the Virtual University.  

Références, bibliographie et lectures recommandées

A bibliography, as well as essential readings, will be published on the Virtual University. A syllabus composed of extracts of judgments and EU treaties will be made available to the students. The extracts from the EU treaties will be the only document allowed for the final exam.  

Support(s) de cours

• Université virtuelle

Informations complémentaires

Classes are taking place on Tuesdays between 16.00 and 18.00. The schedule is available via Time Edit, and a detailed calendar will be published before the course starts. 

The course materials are available on the page of the course on the ULB Virtual University (DROI-O401 - European Integration through Law - 202627). 

Contacts

Dr. Chloé Brière (chloe.briere@ulb.be)
 

Campus

Solbosch

Méthode(s) d'évaluation

• Examen écrit
• Evaluation continue

Examen écrit

• Question ouverte à réponse courte
• Question ouverte à développement long
• Question fermée à Choix Multiple (QCM)

Evaluation continue

The evaluation is composed of two elements.

1. Quiz /multiple choice questions (MCQ) – 30% of the grade

The Quiz is provisionally scheduled for October 27, 2026 in class (it will only take place in person, and no online test will be offered). Students who do not take the quiz on that date will receive a 0. The quiz will not be offered during the retake session (August). If you are unable to take the quiz in October for medical reasons or any other legitimate justification, please inform the professor in advance. The conduct of an internship or full-time work does not constitute a legitimate justification. 

2. Written exam - 70% of the grade

The written exam is composed of two parts:

• a first part composed of short questions (examples and training in class, graded out of 10 points)
• a second part composed of one essay question graded out of 20 points (two questions offered, and students need to choose one). 

Examples of past exams will be communicated, and a questions & answers session will be organised in December. 

Construction de la note (en ce compris, la pondération des notes partielles)

Langue(s) d'évaluation

• anglais