European Business Law: Understanding the Fundamentals

About this course: The European Union is one of the world’s largest and most important economies. This five week course is the first in a series of three that will provide students with an insight into European Business Law. The series ranges from considering the basic structures and principles of the European Union to focusing on various specialized areas of law. Each course will give the students an understanding of the laws and policies that regulate the internal market of European Union, as well as relevant case law and useful inputs from leading practitioners in the field. At the end of this course series, you will have a basic understanding of how to: • Navigate EU legal sources • Understand relevant laws and regulations governing the internal European Union market • Apply the fundamental principles of EU law within the EU legal framework • Utilize the rules of freedom of movement and their impacts on trade in the EU • Relate EU law with national laws • Understand EU policies and their influence on foreign trade and investment About the Series In the first course, Understanding the Fundamentals, we will examine the core structures and principles of the European Union as well as the main sources of law. In the second course, Doing business in Europe, we will focus on the main laws that regulate various aspects of establishing and running a business within the European Union. In the final course, Competing in Europe, we will go into more depth about how to compete on the internal market and protect your brand, product or invention. To keep up to speed on the course series, visit our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/eblmooc/ Syllabus and Format Each course consists of a number of modules where one module represents about one week of work. A module includes a number of lectures and readings, and finishes with a voluntary assessment – a quiz, a small peer graded assignment or a case law review. The assessments are intended to encourage learning and ensure that you understand the material of the course. Participating in forum discussions is voluntary. Course I - Understanding the Fundamentals Module 1. Introduction to EU law Module 2. Legal Method and Sources Module 3. Constitutional Freedoms and Fundamental principles Module 4. Freedom of Movement Module 5. The External Dimension Course II - Doing Business in Europe Module 1. Making Business Transactions Module 2. Establishing a Company Module 3. Employing and Working in Europe Module 4. Paying Taxes and Complying with Environmental Standards Module 5. Case Clinic Module 6. Resolving Cross-border Disputes Course III - Competing in Europe Module 1. Obtaining Trademarks Module 2. Defending Patents Module 3. Competition: Illegal Agreements Module 4. Competition: Abuse of Dominance and Mergers Module 5. Advocacy and Legal Writing Module 6. Selling to the State and State Aid Lund University Lund University was founded in 1666. The Faulty of Law is a modern faculty with an international profile, welcoming both international and Swedish students. The university offers two international Masters: European Business Law and Human Rights Law. The former provides an in-depth understanding of both the practical and the theoretical aspects of business law within the European Union. The programme provides both general and specific knowledge of the European Union legal framework, which is necessary for students intending to work as legal advisors or business decision-makers. Education, research and interaction with the surrounding community are the main focus of the Faculty’s work. The connection between the three is particularly apparent in the programmes and courses offered by the university, including the university’s MOOC course in European Business Law. The students get the chance to engross themselves in traditional legal studies, while interacting with both researchers and professionally active lawyers with qualifications and experience from various areas of law.

Who is this class for: This course is useful to persons both inside and outside the European Union, whether they are students, professionals, or simply interested in the European Union and European Business Law. Prior knowledge of law and the European Union is an advantage, but not a prerequisite. We have added an introduction module in the first course providing students with an overview of the history, institutions and legal method of the European Union.

Created by:  Lund University

• Taught by:  Hans Henrik Lidgard, Senior Professor

  Faculty of Law

• Taught by:  Xavier Groussot, Pro Dean and Professor

  Faculty of Law

• Taught by:  Julian Nowag, Senior Lecturer

  Faculty of Law

• Taught by:  Jörgen Hettne, Associate Professor

• Taught by:  Anna Wiberg, Librarian

  Faculty of Law

• Taught by:  Eduardo Gill Pedro, Doctoral Student

  Faculty of Law

• Taught by:  Angelica Ericsson, Doctoral Student

  Faculty of law

• Taught by:  Magnus Schmauch, Lecturer

  Faculty of Law

Commitment 10-15 hours/week Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.7 stars Average User Rating 4.7See what learners said Coursework

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Lund University Lund University was founded in 1666 and for a number of years has been ranked among the world’s top 100 universities. The University has 47 700 students and 7 500 staff based in Lund, Sweden. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Introduction to EU law



Welcome to the first week of Understanding the Fundamentals. This first module will help you to build a solid foundation for the coming lectures on EU law. The module provides a brief introduction to the history and the institutions of the EU, as well as the judicial branch i.e. the Court of Justice of the EU. The module will also go into some detail about the most fundamental EU treaties, namely the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).


7 videos, 7 readings expand

1. Video: Welcome
2. Reading: Course Instructions
3. Reading: Synopsis
4. Video: The History of the EU- A Changing Europe
5. Reading: The History of the EU- A Changing Europe
6. Video: The Institutions of the EU
7. Reading: The Institutions of the EU
8. Video: The Court of Justice of the EU
9. Reading: The Court of Justice of the EU
10. Video: Treaties of the European Union
11. Reading: Treaties of the European Union
12. Video: The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Part I
13. Video: The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Part II
14. Reading: The Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union, part I and II

Graded: Introduction to EU Law

WEEK 2


Sources and Method



The second module will give you a practical introduction to the legal sources and method of EU law. It will provide you with some skills that are crucial when dealing with EU law, such as navigating the vast databases of official publications, legislation and case law. The module provides an overview of the available online resources and EU legal databases. It provides suggestions on how to search the official journals, including the case law of the ECJ. In addition, the module explains what treaties, regulations and directives actually are, and where to find them online. Keep in mind that the module can be used as reference if you continue your studies of European Business Law.


5 videos, 5 readings expand

1. Video: The Legal Sources and the Legal Method of the EU
2. Reading: The Legal Sources and the Legal Method of the EU
3. Video: Introduction to EU Law Sources
4. Reading: Introduction to EU Law Sources
5. Video: Treaties and Legislation
6. Reading: Treaties and Legislation
7. Video: Case Law
8. Reading: Case Law
9. Video: Commission Documents
10. Reading: Commission Documents

Graded: Legal Resources

WEEK 3


Fundamental Principles



In the third module you will learn about the fundamental principles and constitutional foundations of EU Law. The dynamic and interaction of the national law of the Member States and the EU will be covered in some detail. This includes the three categories of competence – exclusive, shared and supporting. The effects of the exercise of competence are discussed, as well as relevant case law. A brief historical background is given to the principle of fundamental rights along with its application in contemporary Europe. Finally some of the main principles of EU law are discussed, including the principles of proportionality, non-discrimination and legal certainty.


6 videos, 6 readings expand

1. Video: Conferral and Subsidiarity
2. Reading: Conferral and Subsidiarity
3. Video: The Effects of EU Law
4. Reading: The Effects of the EU
5. Video: The Charter of Fundamental Rights
6. Reading: The Charter of Fundamental Rights
7. Video: The Principle of Proportionality
8. Reading: The Principle of Proportionality
9. Video: The Principle of Non-discrimination
10. Reading: The Principle of Non-discrimination
11. Video: The Principle of Legal Certainty
12. Reading: The Principle of Legal Certainty

Graded: Fundamental Principles

WEEK 4


The Economic Freedoms



Module 4 introduces the four freedoms, including free movement of services, goods, persons and capital. These economic freedoms are at the very heart of EU Law and crucial to understanding the law from a business perspective. The module considers the relevant legal provisions and the key case law. It continues to introduce the right to establishment and discusses the harmonisation of EU law in the national law of member states. In the end of this module you will be given the chance to do a peer graded assignment and earn an honors certificate. You will find the assignment under "Assessments."


5 videos, 5 readings expand

1. Video: Free Movement of Goods
2. Reading: Free Movement of Goods
3. Video: Free Movement of Workers
4. Reading: Free Movement of Workers
5. Video: Freedom of Establishment
6. Reading: Freedom of Establishment
7. Video: Free Movement of Services
8. Reading: Free Movement of Services
9. Video: Free Movement of Capital
10. Reading: Free Movement of Capital

Graded: The Economic Freedoms
Graded: Legal Paper

WEEK 5


The External Dimension



Module 5 focuses on the common European foreign policy and its institutional setup. This is a complex field where the policies of the individual Member States and the EU overlap and interact. The external dimension is important for anyone conducting international trade or upholding relations with the EU. The division of competence is discussed in the module, followed by a review of the seven main EU institutions and players and their respective role relating to foreign policy. The module gives a thorough overview of the six fields in the external dimension of EU Law: Common commercial policy; EU development policy; Foreign and Security Policy; Security and Defence Policy; Energy Market; Freedom, Security and Justice. Finally, the module gives a brief history of the EEA Agreement, as well as its application.


5 videos, 3 readings expand

1. Video: Principles and Institutional Setup
2. Reading: Principles and Institutional Setup
3. Video: Fields of the External Dimension, Part I
4. Video: Fields of the External Dimension, Part II
5. Video: Fields of the External Dimension, Part III
6. Reading: Fields of the External Dimension, part I, II and III
7. Video: The EEA Agreement
8. Reading: The EEA Agreement

Graded: The External Dimension