This learning unit is not open to incoming exchange students!
Teacher(s)
Language
English
Prerequisites
The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| The course aims to familiarise students with the Anglo-American legal system and culture (origins, foundations and principles of Common Law) by addressing certain general themes of public and private law through various legal sources (doctrine, case law, legislation) and current events. The general learning objective is also to introduce students to legal practice (e.g. introduction to certain legal methods, professions and procedures). Designed in an active way, it should enable the student, at the end of the year, to acquire : ● a basic knowledge of Anglo-American structures, major concepts and terminology ; ● consult, understand and synthesise legal documentation in English ● to explain and discuss in understandable language and using appropriate terminology, simple legal situations and the basic structures and concepts of the legal systems taught. The aim of the course is thus to achieve both passive and, as far as possible, active understanding and knowledge of legal English. In this way, the student who has completed the Common English and Legal English course will have acquired the necessary skills to follow a legal course in English in BLOCK 3, thus fulfilling the language learning objectives of the Faculty of Law. |
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Content
At the start of the course, students complete a self-assessment form to find out their level of English.
The course is structured in two parts:
- The first part is designed to enable students to strengthen their general language skills and acquire the basic concepts and terminology of Anglo-American law, mainly through reading comprehension and oral expression exercises.
- The second part involves the study of a selection of essential legal themes in order to understand English-speaking legal systems (contract law, liability law, criminal law, constitutional law, etc.) and the analysis of English, American, European and international case law.
The course is structured in two parts:
- The first part is designed to enable students to strengthen their general language skills and acquire the basic concepts and terminology of Anglo-American law, mainly through reading comprehension and oral expression exercises.
- The second part involves the study of a selection of essential legal themes in order to understand English-speaking legal systems (contract law, liability law, criminal law, constitutional law, etc.) and the analysis of English, American, European and international case law.
Students are required to read and prepare texts and exercises in advance.
Some English language resources will be made available on Moodle for grammatical and/or vocabulary support. During the semester, additional reading material may also be made available to students on Moodle.
Teaching methods
Lectures accompanied by task-based practical activities, which require active preparation and student participation in and outside of class.
During the lectures, the English and American legal systems and their main features will be introduced. In practical activities, a specific legal theme – such as issues related to current events – will be explored in depth through exercises. These exercises focus on critical reading of texts, including structure, meaning, factual data, and opinions.
It is a practical course aiming at understanding legal language, built around structured lectures, practical learning of legal terminology, written exercises (writing, translation), and oral exercises (discussions, short presentations).
Both lectures and assessments are held on university campus.
During the lectures, the English and American legal systems and their main features will be introduced. In practical activities, a specific legal theme – such as issues related to current events – will be explored in depth through exercises. These exercises focus on critical reading of texts, including structure, meaning, factual data, and opinions.
It is a practical course aiming at understanding legal language, built around structured lectures, practical learning of legal terminology, written exercises (writing, translation), and oral exercises (discussions, short presentations).
Both lectures and assessments are held on university campus.
Evaluation methods
The evaluation consists of two parts:
- a practical and collaborative [oral] assignment on a court decision to be presented during the semester in which the course is taught (20% of the final grade);
- a written exam during the exam session (80% of the final grade).
Students are responsible for registering for their oral presentation via Moodle before the deadline indicated at the beginning of the semester by the teacher. Except in administrative or justified circumstances, students who do not register on Moodle in time will receive a grade of 0 for their presentation and will not be allowed to reschedule it for another session. A student who has not completed an oral presentation will forfeit 20% of the final grade but may still register for the written exam.
The written exam is held without any documents, dictionaries, or assistance from any artificial intelligence tools. The written exam includes:
1. A set of vocabulary questions based on texts studied in class and the basic vocabulary list.
2. A set of questions on course content (lecture and practical activities).
3. A set of questions testing comprehension of new texts (genre, structure, scope, or content), possibly requiring comparison with material covered in class. These new texts are of a similar type and theme to those studied in class, and the questions are comparable to those discussed in class.
Active participation is strongly encouraged. Attendance is mandatory for practical activities sessions. Two unjustified absences from group sessions may result in a grade of 0A for the course.
Language of assessment
English and French
- a practical and collaborative [oral] assignment on a court decision to be presented during the semester in which the course is taught (20% of the final grade);
- a written exam during the exam session (80% of the final grade).
Students are responsible for registering for their oral presentation via Moodle before the deadline indicated at the beginning of the semester by the teacher. Except in administrative or justified circumstances, students who do not register on Moodle in time will receive a grade of 0 for their presentation and will not be allowed to reschedule it for another session. A student who has not completed an oral presentation will forfeit 20% of the final grade but may still register for the written exam.
The written exam is held without any documents, dictionaries, or assistance from any artificial intelligence tools. The written exam includes:
1. A set of vocabulary questions based on texts studied in class and the basic vocabulary list.
2. A set of questions on course content (lecture and practical activities).
3. A set of questions testing comprehension of new texts (genre, structure, scope, or content), possibly requiring comparison with material covered in class. These new texts are of a similar type and theme to those studied in class, and the questions are comparable to those discussed in class.
Active participation is strongly encouraged. Attendance is mandatory for practical activities sessions. Two unjustified absences from group sessions may result in a grade of 0A for the course.
Language of assessment
English and French
Online resources
Moodle is the preferred platform for sharing information, and students are encouraged to consult it regularly.
Bibliography
Des documents de travail peuvent être disponibles et des références bibliographiques communiquées et commentées en cours d’année.
Faculty or entity
