European Business Law: Understanding the Fundamentals

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/european-law-fundamentals

Introduction

### Course Review: European Business Law: Understanding the Fundamentals In an increasingly interconnected global economy, understanding the legal principles that govern international trade and commerce is essential, especially when it comes to the European Union (EU). The Coursera course *European Business Law: Understanding the Fundamentals* offers a comprehensive introduction to this vital subject, providing students with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of EU legislation and policies. #### Course Overview Spanning over six weeks, this course is the first part of a trilogy aimed at dissecting the intricate framework of European Business Law. It covers everything from the foundational principles of the EU to specialized areas of law that influence the internal market. By focusing on key treaties, legal sources, enforcement mechanisms, and economic freedoms, this course equips students with a comprehensive understanding of how the EU operates within the realm of business law. ### Course Syllabus Breakdown 1. **Introduction to EU Law** In the first week, students will be introduced to the history of the EU and its key institutions, focusing specifically on the Court of Justice of the EU. Learning about pivotal treaties such as the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) sets a solid foundation for understanding the legislative landscape. 2. **Sources and Method** The second module unveils the intricate web of legal sources within EU law. It is practical, equipping learners with essential skills to navigate EU legal databases, official publications, and case law. This module serves as a valuable reference point for future studies and highlights the significance of regulations, directives, and treaties. 3. **Fundamental Principles** Module three dives into the constitutional framework, exploring the interaction between national law and EU law. Students will engage with the concepts of competence, including exclusive, shared, and supporting competences, while also gaining insight into the principle of fundamental rights and pertinent case law. 4. **Enforcement of EU Law and Judicial Review** The fourth week focuses on how individuals and businesses can enforce their rights within the EU. This module is particularly advantageous for those interested in judicial processes, as it elucidates the mechanisms in place for challenging EU legislation and its enforcement. 5. **The Economic Freedoms** Essential to understanding EU business law, module five examines the four economic freedoms—free movement of services, goods, persons, and capital. By exploring important legal provisions and landmark case law, learners appreciate how these freedoms underpin the EU’s internal market and influence member states' national laws. This module ends with a peer-graded assignment that allows students to apply their newly acquired knowledge. 6. **The External Dimension** The final module addresses the EU's external policies and their implications for international business. From trade to security and energy policies, this comprehensive overview helps students grasp how EU laws intersect with member states' interests and global relations. ### Why You Should Take This Course * **Expertise in EU Law**: The course is designed by experts in European law and provides learners with insightful perspectives on why understanding EU regulations is crucial in today's economy. * **Flexible Learning**: Coursera's platform allows you to study at your own pace. Whether you are a student, legal professional, or just someone interested in the EU, the course structure accommodates various learning styles. * **Interactive and Engaging**: The course includes multimedia resources and peer interactions, making learning engaging. The peer-graded assignments foster collaboration with others, enhancing the overall learning experience. * **Certificates**: Upon completion, you’ll receive a certificate that not only adds value to your CV but also showcases your commitment to understanding European Business Law. ### Conclusion The *European Business Law: Understanding the Fundamentals* course on Coursera is a must for anyone looking to gain a strong insight into European legal frameworks and their impact on business. It provides a robust platform for students and professionals alike to build their knowledge, engage with complex legal concepts, and gain practical skills that are directly applicable in the world of business law. Whether you're pursuing a career in law, trade, or international relations, this course will serve as an invaluable resource that you can revisit as your understanding deepens. Highly recommended for all aspiring legal professionals and business strategists!

Syllabus

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).

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.

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.

The fourth module covers the enforcement of EU law and judicial review. In the previous lectures, you have learned that the EU confers certain rights on individuals and companies and that the EU has certain powers conferred to it by the Member States. This module examines the essential question of how you – as an individual or as a company – are able to enforce your rights at a national level and how you can challenge a legislation through which the EU has acted outside of its conferred powers.

Module 5 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."

Module 6 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.