Teacher(s)
Language
French
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.
Main themes
Justice, relationship between natural law and positive law, relationship between democracy and rule of law
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
The course of natural law is in line with the following programme’s learning outcomes :
‘I. Acquiring general knowledge’: the course of natural law contributes to the development of legal knowledge, but also, by its history of legal ideas and philosophical approach, to a “solid knowledge of non-legal humanities and social sciences, enabling students to interpret legal phenomena from a resolutely interdisciplinary perspective”.
‘II. Acquiring specific legal knowledge’: the course of natural law enables students to develop critical analytical skills with respect to the law through a grounding in the theory and philosophy of law and, through the study of the different theories of natural law, an awareness of the relative and changing nature of legal remedies and the controversies which they can generate.
‘V. Mastering written and oral communication in French: Written assessment allows students to develop their ability to communicate a legal idea and/or argument in writing and to defend it convincingly. As the course is interactive, students are also encouraged to develop this skill orally.
‘Transferable skills’: the seminar promotes ‘mastery of the French language, both oral and written’ and, by the ethical considerations that are at the heart of its content, provides an opportunity to ‘refine personal ethics’. |
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Content
The course is divided into three parts.
The first part outlines the history of Natural Law in legal thought, starting from classical Natural law through to its (official) decline.
The second part examines the major objections raised against Natural Law.
The third part is devoted to contemporary questions that highlight the topicality of Natural Law, including its relationship with human rights, the general principles of law, the notion of equity, civil disobedience and nature's rights.
The first part outlines the history of Natural Law in legal thought, starting from classical Natural law through to its (official) decline.
The second part examines the major objections raised against Natural Law.
The third part is devoted to contemporary questions that highlight the topicality of Natural Law, including its relationship with human rights, the general principles of law, the notion of equity, civil disobedience and nature's rights.
Teaching methods
The course is an ex-cathedra lecture but aims, as far as possible, to be interactive. Lectures will take as their starting point texts read by students in advance, while the syllabus made available at the beginning of the course will include a table of contents and course material.
Evaluation methods
Assessment is by written examination on site. The exam criteria include an evaluation of the student's understanding and knowledge of the subjects covered during the course, as well as his/her critical judgment regarding issues of Natural Law.
Other information
Syllabus available from the beginning of the class
Bibliography
Aucune
Faculty or entity
