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2013/14 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LAW5310M European Social Law

15 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Prof Dagmar Schiek
Email: d.g.schiek@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2013/14

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

Social integration - as opposed to economic integration - has long remained the main competence of nation state. With the increasing impact of globalisation, nation states are losing the capability to provide for structures that enable individuals to remain governors of their own lives. The European Union is one of the few international organisations that has taken first steps towards integrating social and economic policies of its Member States. The EU's social policy rests on a set of competences, on a normative frame at EU level as well as on the common traditions of its Member States in all their difference. This unique model is sometimes referred to as the 'European Social Model'. This module explores different elements of the European Social model from a critical legal perspective.

Objectives

The module, proceeding from foundational knowledge of students about the EU and its law, aims to convey a deepened knowledge of EU social law and policy. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the various dimensions of EU social policy and their legal emanations; evaluate the relationship between the social and economic policy imperatives within the Community Law, and present an analysis of this branch of law in its socio-legal context. They should be able to critically discuss whether there is a European Social Model in non-discrimination law, which should enable students to offer legal-political advice in the field.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Understand the legal framework of European social policy and its relation to European economic integration
- Analyse the multi-level character of European social policy
- Critically discuss methods of supranational social integration
- Appreciate the problems associated with harmonising employment law against different national traditions
- Understand modes of governance in European Social Policy

Skills outcomes
On completion of this module students should be able to:
- Critically assess legal rules against the background of diverse legal traditions
- to advise policy makers and lawmakers on how to shape supranational social policy or national social policy in the light of EU law requirements
- to assess whether certain implementations of directives are in line with EU law, ability to advise on the use of EU law in national cases in the field
- Critically analyse decisions and judgments in the field of EU social policy
- to compare and contrast, as between the different areas of social policy studied.

Syllabus

Students will be acquainted with:
- Normative framework for European social policy, in its relation to European economic integration
- Multilevel conception of European social policy, relation of EU and Member States competence, and the problems of implementing EU directives and applying primary EU law in a field with diverse traditions within Member States
- Modes of governance in European Social Law
Seminars will cover
- Introductory seminar: European social policy and its relation to economic objectives, discussion of European welfare state models and a European Social Model
- Seminar 2: Current Issues of European employment law
- Seminar 3: Current issues of European labour law
- Seminar 4: Current issues of European health law

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Seminar	5	2.00	10.00
Private study hours			140.00
Total Contact hours			10.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

60 hours: preparation for seminars on the basis of provided reading list
30 hours: self-directed reading and reflection after seminars
50 hours: preparing essay and presentation

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Attendance will be monitored to provide early warning of possible extra-curricular problems that may be inhibiting progress.
- The lecturer will strive to ensure active and equitable participation by all who follow the course.
- The assessed essays will provide an objective measure of student progress and performance.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 4,500 word essay	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 17/06/2014

Disclaimer

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• Undergraduate module catalogue
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• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

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