Teacher(s)
Language
French
Prerequisites
This course assumes no prerequisites.
Main themes
It provides a pragmatic introduction to a religious legal system, i.e. the current law of the Catholic Church. (Other teachings on canon law are also provided in other programs organized by UCL). The course introduces students to the practical arrangements for legal intervention in the Catholic Church, managing the religious status of more than one billion followers worldwide. A mainly technical analysis is adopted to introduce more specific topics of canon law, chosen by the students.
The specificity of canon law over state law or in relation to other religions is analyzed about marriage and its forms of nullity and dissolution; about ecclesiastical status; about penal canon law against abuse in religious practices (e.g. the crisis of sexual offenses), about the status of religious courts.
The specificity of canon law over state law or in relation to other religions is analyzed about marriage and its forms of nullity and dissolution; about ecclesiastical status; about penal canon law against abuse in religious practices (e.g. the crisis of sexual offenses), about the status of religious courts.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 | - understand the locus and role of canon law within the life and practice of the Roman Catholic Church understood as a community of believers; - evaluate the relationship between canon law, State law and human rights as a joint project for good citizenship; - find (at least some) ways of resolving issues using canon law. |
Content
After a brief historical and conceptual presentation, this course introduces the practice of Catholic Church law, focusing on a main theme in 2024-25: that of the internal “democratization” currently underway, notably through the participatory theme of “synodality”. Other topics to be addressed include canon law currently applicable to marriage, and canonical criminal law (in relation to sexual offences).
Attention will be systematically paid to research and documentation methods, so that by the end of the course, students will have acquired the ability to research documents and an adequate working method in canon law.
Attention will be systematically paid to research and documentation methods, so that by the end of the course, students will have acquired the ability to research documents and an adequate working method in canon law.
Teaching methods
Interactive pedagogy : active student participation will be based on commentary and discussion of current events.
Evaluation methods
For 25% of the points, a bibliographic research paper will be done on a theme specific to each student.
For 75% of the points, an oral exam will be given on a question drawn at random from a list communicated at the end of the course.
In the September term, a similar written exam will account for 100% of the grade.
For 75% of the points, an oral exam will be given on a question drawn at random from a list communicated at the end of the course.
In the September term, a similar written exam will account for 100% of the grade.
Other information
Online resources
See the moodle website of the course.
Bibliography
- Codex de droit canonique (1983) est indispensable (en accès libre sur internet)
Faculty or entity
Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)
Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Certificat universitaire en théologie (fondements)
Minor in Sciences of Religions (discipline to complement the major)
Additionnal module in law
Minor in Christian Theology
Minor in Sciences of Religions (openness)
Additionnal module in Religious Studies