Academic year
2025-26
Is found in:
- International programmes Business and Law, programme stage 3
This is a single course unit.
Study load:
4 credits
Teaching staff: Van Cappellen Gilles
Languages: English
Scheduled for: Module 2
This course unit is marked out of 20 (rounded to an integer).
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Re-sit exam: is possible.
Possibility of deliberation: This course unit is eligible for deliberation according to the criteria as determined by the degree programme you are enrolled in.
Total study time: 104,00 hours
Short description
It is sometimes said that Europe is a far-from-your-bed show. Although everyone comes into daily contact with matters that Europe regulates, we often do not know what this complex mechanism does and how exactly it works.
Of course, this is not the case for Law Practice students; you have already been introduced to European law. Still, the role of Europe may not be clear in all areas. That is exactly what this course aims to change. After attending this course, students will be closer to the work of the European Commission, Parliament and Council and think concretely about their role and the importance of the European project.
We cover various topics in social security, with the aim of gaining a broad knowledge of social policy, politics and the workings of the European Union. To give you an idea: in the European Union, social security is the competence of the member states. As such, there are currently as many social security systems as there are Member States. The task of the European Union is mainly to regulate the coordination of these systems with a view to the free movement of persons (hard law). Moreover, it seeks to achieve common objectives for social protection and social inclusion through the open method of coordination (OMC) (soft law).
So, if you are interested in welfare, social cohesion and the functioning of the European Union, this course is really for you.
Educational organisation (text)
Lectures and/or guest lectures with debates. The discussion with and among students is stimulated.
• Practicum: independent research on a specific topic which results in a presentation with other student(s).
• Coaching and feedback by the lecturer.
Learning outcomes (list)
Performs his/her task self-directed and accurately: shows initiative, creativity and perseverance and works in a solution-oriented way.
| The student shows perseverance and problem-solving skills when searching for relevant information on different European social security systems. |
| The student presents the research results to the class and applies correct presentation skills. |
Works smoothly and with responsibility within a team and takes on simple leadership tasks
| The student carries out various assignments independently and as part of a team and hands them in on time. |
Finds and critically analyses current profession-related sources in accordance with current regulations, distils relevant information from them and uses them in legal practice.
| The student extracts correct information and relevant qualitative (legal) sources, summarises them and makes critical connections between the sources. |
Communicates professionally within the professional context in Dutch, French and English, both in writing and orally
| The student carries out the written assignments in English and uses an academic writing style. Moreover, the student presents research results in English to a class group. |
Deals with complex cases within the field of social law in a solution-oriented way.
| The student situates social security systems of European Union member states in their national and European context. |
| The student has an awareness of the socio-economic and historical context of different European member states and can reflect the influence this context has on current social welfare systems. |
| Students demonstrate a critical attitude towards the different systems and approaches to social security and labour legislation within the EU. |
| Students have an understanding of European legislation and knowledge of the different types of legal acts, such as regulations, directives, decisions, recommendations and opinions. |
Course content
-Organisation of social security in the various EU countries.
-History, philosophy and socio-economic context of the various social security systems.
-Assessment of the various dispositions in the social security systems.
-The role of the European Union in relation to the coordination and harmonisation of the various systems.
Study material (list)
Electronic Learning EnvironmentMandatory- Author: AP Hogeschool Antwerpen
Publications of the European UnionRecommended Recommended study material: EC Employment LawRecommended - Author: Barnard Catherine
Recommended study material: Introduction into the Basic Principles of Social SecurityRecommended Recommended study material: The Social Security System of the States Applying for Membership of the European UnionRecommended Recommended study material: The Social Security Systems of the Member States of the European UnionRecommended Educational organisation (list)
Evaluation (list)
Evaluation(s) for first exam chance
| Moment | Form | % | Remark |
| 1st examination period | Project assignment | 100,00 | Paper (9 points), presentation (9 points) and class assignments and guest lecture (2 points). Students will be evaluated on the content and processing of the information retrieved, their presentation skills and answering questions after the presentation. See Digitap for further information. |
Evaluation(s) for re-sit exam
| Moment | Form | % | Remark |
| 2nd examination period | Project assignment | 100,00 | The student should do the research work again and more thoroughly and submit a reworked paper. The student will only be graded on the paper. |
Evaluation (text)
Check Digitap for further instructions.
The total examination time consists of the scheduled time plus ¼ extra examination time for all students. This therefore already includes the extra examination time as an individual adjustment.