https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/R_Eur.comp.lThis course provides an introduction to European competition law.Students will become familiar with key concepts such as undertaking, static and dynamic competition, product and geographical market definition, horizontal and vertical agreements, by object and by effect infringements, dominance, and exploitative, exclusionary and discriminatory abuses.Students will learn to understand, discuss and solve basic competition problems orally (including a class presentation) and in writing (including a group paper and an individual exam), with reference to key legal instruments and case law, and to do so from different perspectives (enforcement, complainant and defendant).They will gain an understanding of competition law in its broader legal and economic context, and the general current developments in the field, such as those related to the green and digital transitions, the changing international environment, and the demise of neoliberalism.Competition law is a key area of EU economic law, that seeks to control the market power of undertakings (corporations). The course focuses on the three central instruments of EU competition law: the prohibition of (i) anticompetitive (primarily horizontal) agreements, of (ii) dominance abuse, and (iii) the system of ex ante merger control. Both the requirements for application of these instruments and their exceptions are covered. The adjacent topics of state aid and sectoral regulation, notably the digital markets act (DMA), are examined for contextual purposes. The course also addresses the main objectives and theories of competition law. In addition the course pays special attention to competition problems regarding topical areas such as sustainability, pharmaceuticals and digital platforms (including the DMA). In this context we will also address shifts in the economic and political dimension of competition law. Can markets still work efficiently and fairly in the presence of concentrations of market power? Does this concentration undermine access to essential goods and services, individual freedoms and democratic decision making? Which instruments does competition law provide to keep these threats in check? And is competition law future proof in the light of the gig economy and climate change?The course includes both weekly taught (guest) lectures and a number of interactive working group sessions with discussions and problem solving. Both require extensive advance preparation from students.Final assignment (written exam, open book, 50% of the grade) a group assignment (paper and presentation, 40% of the grade), and active participation (attendance and interaction, 10% of the grade)Required literature: J.W. van de Gronden and C.S. Rusu, Competition Law in the EU (2nd edition, Edward Elgar, 2024); and the journal articles and other materials (Cases and Legislation) announced on Canvas. Students must have a (hard) copy of the current second edition of this book when starting the course. Recommended: T. Wu, Tim Wu, The curse of bigness: How corporate giants came to rule the world (Atlantic Books, 2022); and A. Ezrachi, Competition and Antitrust Law: A very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2021).Apart from regular students, the course is also available for: Students from other universities/faculties; Exchange students; and Contractors (students who pay for one course). Courses from a master at the faculty can only be taken as a secondary course if you have a diploma that gives access to the relevant master/ specialization and if you are enrolled in a master.Students need a working knowledge of the basic principles of EU lawStudents are recommended to follow the economics and financial section of a major newspaper, or a specialised newspaper (e.g. the Financial Times, the Economist, Les Échos, il Sole 24 Ore, Cinco Días) at least for the duration of the course.