Teacher(s)
Language
French
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| The purpose of the course is the study of methods and techniques of legal research and writing. It enables the students to familiarise themselves with the fundamental tools (both computer and “paper” tools) of legal research and to learn how to use the main sources of law which are indispensable prerequisites to the achievement of any personal work in the field of law. It will also enable students to understand the various sources of law, to learn the terminology and structure thereof, to grasp their meaning, and to use the underlying reasoning with the same finesse. At the end of the course, students must implement these research tools and demonstrate their ability to handle the main sources of law by writing a summary paper on a given subject. In concrete terms, to complete the work, the students must search, find, summarise and present in writing the status of the law in force on the given subject. This implies mastering the different “means of access” to legislation, doctrine and jurisprudence, the capacity to effectively use the materials found and then to compare them in order to extract the substance that will serve as a basis for writing a personal and original paper. |
|
Content
Using of the main documentary sources of law (legislation, doctrine, jurisprudence), appropriating of the steps of legal research, writing a legal paper, referencing of the sources.
Teaching methods
Planned learning activities and teaching methods:
The course is delivered through large auditorium sessions, as well as a series of sessions given in small groups. Students must acquire "reflexes" (in front of a computer and in the library) as well as a working method to research, read and understand the various documentary sources of law. The emphasis is placed on legal vocabulary and on the requirements of rigor and precision that law requires, particularly in view of the constant evolution that characterizes it. Students must be able to present, on a given subject, the sources of the law in force.
Attendance requirement:
Mandatory attendance for small group sessions. Unjustified absence from more than one small group session during the academic year is penalized by the overall grade of "0/20 absent" (0A/20) for the June session.
Unjustified absence from more than one small group session does not prevent you from registering for the September session.
Unjustified absence from submitting paper is, for its part, sanctioned by an overall grade of 0A/20 for the session concerned.
Unjustified absence from the June or September exam is also sanctioned by an overall grade of 0A/20 for the teaching unit for the session concerned.
(Note: Taking the oral exam if you have not submitted paper does not change the 0A/20 grade. Similarly, not taking the oral exam if you have submitted work does not change the 0A/20 grade)
Finally, if an attendance grade is requested for the submission of paper or for the oral exam, the student will have 0/20 for the session concerned.
The course is delivered through large auditorium sessions, as well as a series of sessions given in small groups. Students must acquire "reflexes" (in front of a computer and in the library) as well as a working method to research, read and understand the various documentary sources of law. The emphasis is placed on legal vocabulary and on the requirements of rigor and precision that law requires, particularly in view of the constant evolution that characterizes it. Students must be able to present, on a given subject, the sources of the law in force.
Attendance requirement:
Mandatory attendance for small group sessions. Unjustified absence from more than one small group session during the academic year is penalized by the overall grade of "0/20 absent" (0A/20) for the June session.
Unjustified absence from more than one small group session does not prevent you from registering for the September session.
Unjustified absence from submitting paper is, for its part, sanctioned by an overall grade of 0A/20 for the session concerned.
Unjustified absence from the June or September exam is also sanctioned by an overall grade of 0A/20 for the teaching unit for the session concerned.
(Note: Taking the oral exam if you have not submitted paper does not change the 0A/20 grade. Similarly, not taking the oral exam if you have submitted work does not change the 0A/20 grade)
Finally, if an attendance grade is requested for the submission of paper or for the oral exam, the student will have 0/20 for the session concerned.
Evaluation methods
The legal methodology course is graded out of 20 points. It is the subject of three certification tests over the year. Indeed, it gives rise to a written exam at the end of the first term (December), and an oral exam at the end of the academic year (May-June); in addition, it involves the submission, in March, of a six-page written work on a given theme.
Passing the written exam of the first term (grade equal to or greater than 10/20) exempts the student from a (substantial) part of the material relating to this same term; this, both in the first session (May-June) and in the second session (August-September). In addition, this grade accounts for ¼ (25%) in the final grade associated with the entire course, whether in the first or second session; the remainder of the final grade (¾, or 75%) is divided between the written work, valued at 1/2 (50%), and the oral exam, valued at 1/4 (25%).
On the other hand, the grade obtained in the event of failure in this same written exam is not included in the final grade. In other words, if you fail it, it is erased! The written work will then be valued at 2/3 and the oral exam at 1/3, both in the first and second sessions. Students who obtained a minimum of 10/20 for the legal methodology course in the first session (May-June) have acquired the related credits and cannot therefore retake the course in the second session (August-September), even if they have failed their written work or their oral exam (and even if they would like to improve their grade - to raise their average for example). Subject to the application in deliberation of the so-called acceptable deficit rule, students who have not acquired the credits relating to the legal methodology course in the first session (May-June) must always take the oral exam in the second session. In addition, they are required to submit a written work, unless they obtained a mark equal to or higher than 10/20 for it in the first session; for their written work, students delve deeper into the theme given in the first session in the second session, improving what needs to be improved, naturally.
For the completion of the paper, the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is permitted within the limits set in the document 'Responsible Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence,' available on Moodle. Students must also complete the 'Integrity Commitment' form, which is also available on Moodle. Failure to submit the 'Integrity Commitment' form at the time of assignment submission will result in a two-point deduction
Passing the written exam of the first term (grade equal to or greater than 10/20) exempts the student from a (substantial) part of the material relating to this same term; this, both in the first session (May-June) and in the second session (August-September). In addition, this grade accounts for ¼ (25%) in the final grade associated with the entire course, whether in the first or second session; the remainder of the final grade (¾, or 75%) is divided between the written work, valued at 1/2 (50%), and the oral exam, valued at 1/4 (25%).
On the other hand, the grade obtained in the event of failure in this same written exam is not included in the final grade. In other words, if you fail it, it is erased! The written work will then be valued at 2/3 and the oral exam at 1/3, both in the first and second sessions. Students who obtained a minimum of 10/20 for the legal methodology course in the first session (May-June) have acquired the related credits and cannot therefore retake the course in the second session (August-September), even if they have failed their written work or their oral exam (and even if they would like to improve their grade - to raise their average for example). Subject to the application in deliberation of the so-called acceptable deficit rule, students who have not acquired the credits relating to the legal methodology course in the first session (May-June) must always take the oral exam in the second session. In addition, they are required to submit a written work, unless they obtained a mark equal to or higher than 10/20 for it in the first session; for their written work, students delve deeper into the theme given in the first session in the second session, improving what needs to be improved, naturally.
For the completion of the paper, the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is permitted within the limits set in the document 'Responsible Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence,' available on Moodle. Students must also complete the 'Integrity Commitment' form, which is also available on Moodle. Failure to submit the 'Integrity Commitment' form at the time of assignment submission will result in a two-point deduction
Other information
Written teaching materials : the syllabus, annexes, additional documents posted on Moodle, Guide des citations
In the event of a discrepancy between the French and English versions of this course description, the French version shall prevail.
This course description is fully supplemented by all the instructions contained in the first part of the course syllabus.
In the event of a discrepancy between the French and English versions of this course description, the French version shall prevail.
This course description is fully supplemented by all the instructions contained in the first part of the course syllabus.
Bibliography
BERNARD, N. (dir.), BORN, R., de JONGHE, D., de TERWANGNE, C., MOREAU, P., SLINGENEYER, T., TRUFFIN, B., VAN MEERBEECK, J. et VANVREKOM, S., Guide des citations, références et abréviations juridiques, 6e éd., Bruxelles, Kluwer, 2017.
Teaching materials
- Syllabus de Méthodologie juridique
- Syllabus des annexes
- Guide des citations, références et abréviations juridiques
Faculty or entity
