https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/R_FunREThe overall learning aim of the course is: acquiring a high academic and intellectual level in applying the core doctrines of European fundamental rights law and the ability to reflect critically on the relationship between fundamental rights and a society characterized by diversity and pluralism. Attaining these aims enables you to address the fundamental rights dimension in other legal fields during the remainder of your study and in your future career. There are four specific learning aims. Upon finishing this course, students should be able to:Read, understand and analyse legal texts in English such as case law of the European Court of Human Rights) (ECtHR) and the Court of Justice of the European Union) (CJEU), as well as legislation and literature;Apply core doctrines of European fundamental rights law to a case;Present (both in writing and orally) convincing and clear legal arguments in English;Reflect on the ethical dimension of fundamental rights law and questions relating to social and cultural diversity in this field, with an awareness of your own perspective as well as the perspective of others.Fundamental rights are one of the corner stones of democratic societies. As such, they are important for our daily lives and have a great impact on our national legal systems. Fundamental rights protection in Europe is provided through an interplay between three different legal orders: domestic (national) constitutional law, European Union (EU) law and the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR). Fundamental rights protection in more than one legal order raises important questions as regards coherence and consistency of these rights, and the effect of European rights and principles in national legal orders. The course Fundamental rights in Europe course builds on two courses from the first year of your Bachelor in Law, namely: Beginselen Staatsrecht and Beginselen Europees recht. Since fundamental rights are significant in every legal field, this course is key for understanding and recognizing the importance of human rights in other fields of law, such as administrative law or criminal law. Understanding the application of European human rights law and the interplay between national and European courts is elementary for your general legal education, even if you decide to practice only national law in your future career.This course is taught in English and consists of weekly lectures and interactive, mandatory tutorials. Participation in tutorials is crucial to pass the course Fundamental Rights in Europe. During the tutorials, students will be working (individually and in small groups) on reading judgments, solving in-class assignments, case-solving questions, and discussing key issues related to fundamental rights in Europe.The assessment consists of a written examination. The final exam may be preceded by one or two partial assessments (deeltoetsen) taking place during the course. Preparation for the tutorials is necessary to meet the learning aims of the course. It is also required if you want to attend the tutorial. This means that you must have read the course materials and made the home-work assignments before the tutorial; bring the assignments you prepared to class; and be able to consult the prescribed materials during the tutorial (digitally or on paper). Reading, understanding, analyzing English legal texts and presenting convincing and clear legal arguments in English is part of the learning aims of this course. Hence, we expect that you answer the exam questions in English. Answering in Dutch is not prohibited but will have an impact on your grade, seeing that one of the learning aims of this course is that you should able to communicate in a written form by using English legal terminology. If you answer in Dutch, you have not showed evidence of engaging with this learning aim. You may bring a dictionary to the exam. For this course, attendance is mandatory. For further details, please refer to the course guideThe literature and case law will be published on Canvas.Apart from regular students, the course is also available for:Students from other universities/faculties Exchange students Contractors (students who pay for one course)Upon successful completion of this course, you have gained the following knowledge and skills:Knowledge and understanding: you will have thorough knowledge and understanding of European fundamental rights law as regards sources, development and legal doctrines, as well as English legal terminology;Analytical skills: you will be able to read, analyse and reflect on case law on European fundamental rights law, as well as deduce general rules from itProblem solving skills: you will be able to construct a legal solution for a legal case by applying the core doctrines of fundamental rights to a case-solving questionCommunication skills: you will be able to argue an underpinned position in a legal debate and communicate this both orally and in a written form by using English legal terminology.Ethics and diversity: you will be able to discuss questions regarding ethics and diversity in fundamental rights law and to discuss these issues respectfully from the perspective of different stakeholders.Beginselen staatsrechtBeginselen Europees rechtThe entry requirements should be fulfilled before the registration deadline of the course