Teacher(s)
Language
French
Main themes
In this course, the “problems” encountered by philosophers of the past – as well as the concepts they developed in response – serve as a foundation for constructing our own answers to the challenges we face today, particularly within the legal domain. The issue of justice is more specifically explored.
The course also fosters the development of skills essential to any lawyer. Through the analysis and comparison of classical and contemporary philosophers, and through close attention to philosophical texts and terminology, students are trained in careful reading and rigorous interpretation—skills that are indispensable to the practice of law.
Given that legal phenomena are inseparable from broader reflections on human nature and society in all their complexity, this course is closely linked to the courses in legal theory and natural law, as well as to those in sources and principles of law, constitutional law, and even Roman law.
In all these respects, and through the inherently interdisciplinary approach it promotes, this course is fully aligned with the Faculty of Law’s Manifesto and with the intellectual tradition of Saint-Louis.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
This course contributes to the development and acquisition of the following skills (as defined in the program’s learning outcomes framework, cited in quotation marks).
It contributes notably to the acquisition of « general knowledge », particularly through the development of a solid grounding in the humanities and social sciences so that they are able to decode legal phenomena in a comprehensively interdisciplinary perspective ». By drawing on a broad philosophical heritage, the course aims not only to provide students with a robust intellectual education, but also to help them understand that philosophical thinking – however original or innovative – is always shaped by a specific socio-historical context, by events and/or problems to which it responds or within which it was developed. By the end of the course, students will be familiar with a range of philosophical positions, will be able to situate them within the history of ideas, and will be equipped to draw upon them in reflecting on contemporary legal issues.
The course also seeks to foster the development of key « transferable skills », notably the cultivation of « critical analytical skills », which are intrinsic to the philosophical method, as well as the « command of the French language ». Both the lectures and « monitorats », as well as the exams, are designed to refine students’ ability to read and interpret complex texts of varied styles, and to handle a range of concepts with precision. The reading and interpretation of philosophical texts, along with the understanding of the specialised terminology used throughout the course, represent a valuable exercise in the training of future lawyers – who must be capable of grasping the full nuance and complexity of legal language. |
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Content
This course falls within the domain of general philosophy but is specifically tailored for law students. In order for these future jurists to meaningfully engage with the vitality of philosophical inquiry, the course focuses on justice – more precisely, on the conditions of judgement.
Teaching methods
The course is delivered ex cathedra in a large lecture hall. On two occasions, it includes an optional test which may earn students a bonus mark.
The course materials made available on moodle are not mandatory: students’ personal notes may suffice. In fact, such notes will usefully complement the slides, which outline the course structure in a concise but non-exhaustive manner.
Support is provided through weekly tutorials (« monitorats ») given by a teaching assistant.
A forum is also available on moodle, where students may post questions to the professors.
Two collaborative sessions are organised in an « inverted classroom » format. These sessions aim to apply concepts introduced in previous lectures to the analysis of a film. Although attendance at these interactive sessions is not compulsory, it is strongly encouraged, as the critical analysis of the films and broadcast will be assessed in the final examination.
As students are expected to watch the relevant films in advance, the first lecture of the academic year (in 2025, on Septembre 19th) is cancelled and replaced by the viewing of these two films.
Both lectures and assessments are held on university premises.
The course materials made available on moodle are not mandatory: students’ personal notes may suffice. In fact, such notes will usefully complement the slides, which outline the course structure in a concise but non-exhaustive manner.
Support is provided through weekly tutorials (« monitorats ») given by a teaching assistant.
A forum is also available on moodle, where students may post questions to the professors.
Two collaborative sessions are organised in an « inverted classroom » format. These sessions aim to apply concepts introduced in previous lectures to the analysis of a film. Although attendance at these interactive sessions is not compulsory, it is strongly encouraged, as the critical analysis of the films and broadcast will be assessed in the final examination.
As students are expected to watch the relevant films in advance, the first lecture of the academic year (in 2025, on Septembre 19th) is cancelled and replaced by the viewing of these two films.
Both lectures and assessments are held on university premises.
Evaluation methods
Assessment takes the form of a written examination.
In line with the intended learning outcomes of the course, the examination consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) that require nuanced reading skills and a sound understanding of the course’s main conceptual frameworks, the philosophical texts on which it is based, and the key notions discussed throughout. Students may, for instance, be asked to situate a philosophical excerpt within the broader context of the author’s works, to compare different philosophical positions, to clarify specific concepts in relation to a particular topic, or to apply them to a new context or problem (such as through the analysis of a film).
Two optional in-class tests are organised throughout the term and may lead to the awarding of bonus marks.
First, a “solidarity MCQ”, covering material taught up to that point, is held mid-way through the first term. If more than two-thirds of enrolled students participate and more than one-third of those achieve a score equal to or above 10/20, all students receive one bonus point for the January exam, regardless of whether they took the test.
A second MCQ is held during the last class of the first term and covers the entire first part of the course. All students who pass this test (i.e. score equal to or above 10/20) receive one personal bonus point for the January exam.
The exam is organised in January, June and August.
Bonus points are not transferable between exam sessions: they apply only to the January exam.
In line with the intended learning outcomes of the course, the examination consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) that require nuanced reading skills and a sound understanding of the course’s main conceptual frameworks, the philosophical texts on which it is based, and the key notions discussed throughout. Students may, for instance, be asked to situate a philosophical excerpt within the broader context of the author’s works, to compare different philosophical positions, to clarify specific concepts in relation to a particular topic, or to apply them to a new context or problem (such as through the analysis of a film).
Two optional in-class tests are organised throughout the term and may lead to the awarding of bonus marks.
First, a “solidarity MCQ”, covering material taught up to that point, is held mid-way through the first term. If more than two-thirds of enrolled students participate and more than one-third of those achieve a score equal to or above 10/20, all students receive one bonus point for the January exam, regardless of whether they took the test.
A second MCQ is held during the last class of the first term and covers the entire first part of the course. All students who pass this test (i.e. score equal to or above 10/20) receive one personal bonus point for the January exam.
The exam is organised in January, June and August.
Bonus points are not transferable between exam sessions: they apply only to the January exam.
Other information
A strong command of French is needed to follow this course.
Online resources
The course materials (powerpoint) are made available on moodle.
The films that students are expected to watch (in place of the very first lecture) are available via moodle as well.
The films that students are expected to watch (in place of the very first lecture) are available via moodle as well.
Bibliography
Les éléments bibliographiques pertinents sont indiqués dans les supports de cours.
Teaching materials
- Powerpoint
Faculty or entity
Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)
Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Bachelor of Laws (French-Dutch-English / Droit-Rechten-Laws)
