European studies

The course programme is structured in order to provide a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the basics of EU Regulation and Competition policy. Main Topics: Key concepts of competition policy and economics; Regulation versus antitrust; Understanding regulation principles and enforcement; Definition of the relevant market; The rules applicable to vertical and horizontal agreements; The abuse of a dominant market position; Public and private enforcement of competition rules; The control of mergers at EU level; Public undertakings and the provision of Services of General Economic Interest.

Microeconomics

Baldwin, Lodge, Cave (2012). Understanding regulation, Oxford University Press. Motta (2003). Competition policy. Theory and Practice, Cambridge University Press.

Lectures, practice, group-works seminar activities

Not compulsory.

Written exam and intermediate tests (1h15m each) The written exam is structured in order to evaluate two main aims of the educational targets of the course: 1) the systematic understanding of the foundations of the subject. The questions of the written exam (70%) are oriented to verify the comprehension and awareness of the student on the role of the State in the economy (market failures and social justice), on the foundation regulation, on the foundation of antitrust in US and EU, on the analysis of abuse of dominant position, on the collusive agreements, on the discipline of mergers&acquisitions; 2) the ability to interpret and discuss is verified in the remaining part (30%) of the written exam, through questions that require (for being answered) an acquired knowledge that allows the student to link several arguments or to solve specific exercices. Students that attend intermediate tests, face two written proofs of 1h15m each, that take place at the half and during the last week of the course. In addition to the written exams, students can, on a voluntary base, partecipate to the law and economics seminarial initiative. Attached to this further activity an additive effort is required: a .ppt presentation to be used for an oral exposition in the class of an important antitrust recent case (note that: the seminarial activity are carried out in different class hours with respect to the ordinary course). These additional activities provide further elements (writing capacity and oral exposition) for the overall evaluation of the students.

Baldwin, Lodge, Cave (2012). Understanding regulation, Oxford University Press. Motta (2003). Competition policy. Theory and Practice, Cambridge University Press.

Lectures, practice, group-works seminar activities