EGOn4002 EU Law and European System of Human Rights Protection

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Taught in person.
Teacher(s)
Mgr. et Mgr. Katarína Šipulová, Ph.D., MSt (lecturer)
JUDr. Mgr. Ivo Pospíšil, Ph.D. (lecturer)
JUDr. Zuzana Vikarská, MJur, MPhil, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
JUDr. Mgr. Ivo Pospíšil, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! EGO402 EU Law &&! NOWANY ( EGO402 EU Law )
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/25, only registered: 0/25
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This course provides an introduction to the topic of human rights in the European Union (EU). First, it situates the issue in the context of the broader framework of human rights conceptualizations in Europe and describes the specifics of the European approach to human rights. Then, the course covers the specific situation of progressively developing significance of human rights in the EC/EU as a non-state entity. The course focuses primarily on the case-law of the Court of Justice and also secondarily on input from other institutions. Finally, the course deals with contemporary questions connected to the evolving position of human rights in the EU, such as the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and its effects, the delayed accession of the EU to the European Convention on Human Rights, or Art. 7 mechanism. It will also highlight practical difficulties when European and national law clash. Guest lectures by practitioners from the Czech apex courts will enrich the course. A Utrecht University expert will contribute to the course by holding a special seminar, either in Brno or via Skype conference.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be well acquainted with the issue of human rights in Europe, especially in the European Union, both from the perspective of legal and political science. They will be able to understand the expansion of the issue of human rights in the EU. Students will become familiar with the essential judgments dealing with human rights, which will, in addition to the knowledge gained from the substance of the texts, greatly enhance their abilities to read more complicated legal documents. They will also learn about the important role considerations of human rights play in legal and political debates in Europe.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introductory Session 2. Human Rights in Europe 3. The European System of Human Rights Protection – The Council of Europe 4. The European Union and Human Rights – How and Why it All Began 5. The Court of Justice as an Actor in European Governance 6. The Court of Justice and Human Rights – Fundamentals 7. Court of Justice and Human Rights – Expanding the Scope 8. Utrecht seminar I 9. Utrecht seminar II 10. The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights 11. The EU and the ECHR 12. A Deeper Look at Dissonance in the Multi-level Legal System – Study Visit to the Constitutional Court and to the Supreme Court of Administration 13. Miscellaneous Topics, Other Actors Dealing with Human Rights in the EU, Critical Reflections, Conclusions
Literature
    required literature
  • Uladzislau Belavusau, Kristin Henrard (eds.). EU Anti-Discrimination Law beyond Gender. Oxford: Hart, 2020.
  • Strengthening the rule of law in Europe : from a common concept to mechanisms of implementation. Edited by Werner Schroeder. First published. Oxford: Hart publishing, 2016, xiv, 299. ISBN 9781509928873. info
  • FABBRINI, Federico. Fundamental rights in Europe : challenges and transformations in comparative perspective. 1st ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014, xix, 319. ISBN 9780198702047. info
  • FORSYTHE, David P. Human rights in international relations. 3rd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012, xiv, 355. ISBN 9781107629844. info
  • CRAIG, Paul P. and G. DE BÚRCA. EU law : text, cases, and materials. 5th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011, clvii, 115. ISBN 9780199576999. info
  • The EU and human rights. Edited by Philip Alston - Mara R. Bustelo - James Heenan. 1st ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999, xxiii, 946. ISBN 0198298099. info
Teaching methods
The course includes lectures and seminars. Students are expected to write six position papers, participate in two team projects, be active during class discussions and write a take-away final exam. The course includes simulated court proceedings, screening of videos, and visits to apex courts, as well as a Skype lecture.
Assessment methods
The course consists of lectures combined with seminars including class discussions. Students are expected to read all compulsory readings (articles or book chapters and cases) in advance in order to actively participate in class discussions. In order to successfully pass the course, students must fulfill ALL requirements: 1) Pass the final written test (min. 20 points out of max. 40 points, i.e. 50 %) 2) Submit 6 position papers prior to class and actively participate in class discussions (6 x max. 5 points, total max. 30 points) 3) Participate in 2 team projects (2 x max. 15 points, total max. 30 points) The final grade consists of the final written test (40 %) and assessment of position papers (30 %) and team projects (30 %): “A” grade 92 – 100 points “B” grade 84 – 91 points “C” grade 76 – 83 points “D” grade 68 – 75 points “E” grade 60 – 67 points “F” grade less than 60 points
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2024, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2024/EGOn4002