This learning unit is not open to incoming exchange students!
Teacher(s)
Brachotte Sandrine (compensates De Schutter Olivier); De Schutter Olivier;
Language
French
Main themes
The course consists of a reflection on contemporary law or, more precisely, a theorisation, in the sense of problematisation, of the methods and foundations of law, which shows the more or less modern, critical and/or interdisciplinary perspectives that exist.
The study will include the question of the situation of legal theory in the face of the major challenges of our century, in particular the globalisation of society, the development of artificial intelligence and climate change. Legal theory will also be put into perspective in relation to the theme of sustainable development, which is dear to the Faculty of Law at UCLouvain.
With the aim of developing both critical skills and knowledge of the various main currents and concepts in legal theory, this course builds on the knowledge acquired in courses in positive law, philosophy and the humanities.
The study will include the question of the situation of legal theory in the face of the major challenges of our century, in particular the globalisation of society, the development of artificial intelligence and climate change. Legal theory will also be put into perspective in relation to the theme of sustainable development, which is dear to the Faculty of Law at UCLouvain.
With the aim of developing both critical skills and knowledge of the various main currents and concepts in legal theory, this course builds on the knowledge acquired in courses in positive law, philosophy and the humanities.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 | With regard to the programme's learning outcomes framework, the teaching unit contributes to the development and acquisition of the following skills: - Acquiring specific legal knowledge; - Acquiring scientific methods and tools; - Acquiring analytical, reflective and argumentative skills based on concrete situations; - Developing transferable skills, especially refining personal ethics, in the course of the programme and in contacts with others (personal positioning consistent with one's own values, sense of the common good, respect for others, etc.). More specifically, by the end of the course, students should have acquired: - A general knowledge of the major currents of legal theory and the key issues around which their differences crystallise; - The ability to relate this theoretical knowledge to practical, concrete cases drawn from the most contemporary positive law; - The ability to develop, on the basis of this theoretical teaching informed by practice, a critical reflection on the law, its developments and its presuppositions. |
Content
Teaching methods
The course will be taught ex cathedra in a large lecture theatre.
As part of the Ecological Transition Fortnight (2–16 November 2026), it will include a 20-minute presentation by a former student on their final-year project (‘TFE’) completed as part of the Seminar on Legal Theory. This presentation is intended to illustrate and explore a specific aspect of the course in greater depth and forms an integral part of the examination syllabus.
Each session may involve exercises to test memory and comprehension, as well as the use of schematic teaching aids.
As part of the Ecological Transition Fortnight (2–16 November 2026), it will include a 20-minute presentation by a former student on their final-year project (‘TFE’) completed as part of the Seminar on Legal Theory. This presentation is intended to illustrate and explore a specific aspect of the course in greater depth and forms an integral part of the examination syllabus.
Each session may involve exercises to test memory and comprehension, as well as the use of schematic teaching aids.
Evaluation methods
Subject matter of the assessment
The subject matter is that which is taught during the sessions scheduled for the lecture course.
Its scope is determined by the course syllabus provided by the lecturer. This includes, or is supplemented by, as appropriate,
- the bibliographical references, extracts from legal theory literature and extracts from case law set out in the course syllabus;
- the content of those parts of the course delivered by students currently in the first year of the Master’s programme (see details below)
- the examples given in class by students at the specified times (highlighted in yellow in the course materials).
Attendance at lectures is not compulsory but is strongly recommended, as it enables students to supplement the course syllabus and ensure they have notes covering the entire subject matter that will form the basis of the assessment, as well as schematic teaching aids.
In particular, students’ attention is drawn to the following points:
- the academic articles supplementing the course, available on Moodle, will be discussed during the lecture;
- the schematic teaching aids (timeline, list of cases, list of authors, summary table) will be completed during the course as we go along.
Type of assessment (and any arrangements):
· Multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ), comprising 20 questions, each worth one mark.
A session to view marked papers in the presence of the lecturer will be organised within one month of the results being announced. The date will be announced one week in advance on Moodle.
Language of assessment: English
Assessment criteria:
· Correct answers to the multiple-choice questions.
Further details:
Students are permitted to bring a French-English dictionary into the exam, provided that it is completely free of any annotations.
No other documents may be brought into the exam.
The subject matter is that which is taught during the sessions scheduled for the lecture course.
Its scope is determined by the course syllabus provided by the lecturer. This includes, or is supplemented by, as appropriate,
- the bibliographical references, extracts from legal theory literature and extracts from case law set out in the course syllabus;
- the content of those parts of the course delivered by students currently in the first year of the Master’s programme (see details below)
- the examples given in class by students at the specified times (highlighted in yellow in the course materials).
Attendance at lectures is not compulsory but is strongly recommended, as it enables students to supplement the course syllabus and ensure they have notes covering the entire subject matter that will form the basis of the assessment, as well as schematic teaching aids.
In particular, students’ attention is drawn to the following points:
- the academic articles supplementing the course, available on Moodle, will be discussed during the lecture;
- the schematic teaching aids (timeline, list of cases, list of authors, summary table) will be completed during the course as we go along.
Type of assessment (and any arrangements):
· Multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ), comprising 20 questions, each worth one mark.
A session to view marked papers in the presence of the lecturer will be organised within one month of the results being announced. The date will be announced one week in advance on Moodle.
Language of assessment: English
Assessment criteria:
· Correct answers to the multiple-choice questions.
Further details:
Students are permitted to bring a French-English dictionary into the exam, provided that it is completely free of any annotations.
No other documents may be brought into the exam.
Online resources
Course materials (see below) are available directly on Moodle or via links provided on Moodle.
Bibliography
Les références bibliographiques sont reprises dans le plan du cours et font partie de la matière d’examen.
Teaching materials
- Plan du cours détaillé
- Ressources en ligne accessibles en cliquant sur le lien fourni dans le plan du cours
- Enseignement oral dispensé par les intervenant.e.s invité.e.s
- Articles universitaires commentés au cours.
- Cours oral
- Outils pédagogiques schématiques
Faculty or entity
