The module will first seek to impart information on key economic concepts, such as that of competition as opposed to monopoly and oligopoly, economic efficiency, consumer welfare, market definition and market power. Thereafter, the module will progress to covering legal notions, such as that of anti-competitive agreement, of effect on interstate trade, dominance and abusive behaviour. Finally, the course will cover aspects of the procedure aimed at the enforcement of the EU antitrust rules before the European Commission.

(LO1) Illustrate the meaning and function of basic economic concepts in the context of the formulation and implementation of competition policy;

(LO2) Understand the principles governing the application of the antitrust rules in the EC legal system;

(LO3) Demonstrate knowledge of the legal rules governing the principal expressions of anticompetitive behaviour, both bi/multilateral and unilateral;

(LO4) Analyse relevant judgments and administrative decisions;

(LO5) Analyse and critique scholarly writings in the area of anti-trust law and policy;

(LO6) Apply the antitrust rules to hypothetical case scenarios and suggest solutions to them

(S1) Critical analysis appropriate for advanced level masters study.

(S2) Problem-solving skills applicable to complex theoretical and practical contexts.

(S3) Time management and prioritisation skills by working to deadlines.

(S4) Individual and group communication skills by presentations in an online environment (e.g. the virtual classroom).

(S5) Reading, analysing and synthesising different viewpoints, becoming familiar with different viewpoints and presenting findings/conclusions in clear, comprehensible, structured format.

(S6) Critical skills with regard to the merits of particular arguments and making reasoned choices between alternative solutions or arguments.

• Introduction to competition law
• EU and UK competition law
• Cartels, horizontal and vertical restraints
• Dominance and abuse of dominance
• Enforcement

Module delivery involves the establishment of a virtual classroom in which students work under the direction of the module instructor, using an internet-based distance-learning package. Module delivery proceeds via a series of one-week online seminars, learning materials (including directed reading and asynchronous AV material), and continuous assessment. This includes:
1) an online discussion forum, supported by structured learning materials, posted electronically in the virtual classroom and class discussions and assignments in class, facilitated and moderated by the class instructor;
2) short-form coursework assignments throughout the module (including directed reading assignments, critical analysis and authentic practical scenarios);
3) a final project which develops a deeper analysis of the legal issues and discussion across the module with instructor feedback and support through a summatively assessed plan and interim report.

A key feature of the approach i s the use of the moderated discussions of material introduced in the virtual classroom. Every week the module will include a discussion of topics specified by the instructor and participation in these discussions is a requirement for students attending (forming part of the summative assessment). This will ensure a continuing commitment from the students to the learning process. Communications within the virtual classroom is asynchronous, preserving the requirement that students are able to pursue the module in their own time, within the weekly time frame of each seminar.