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| DROI1203-1

 | Constitutional Law

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| Duration : | 75h Th | |
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| Holder(s) : | Jean‑Claude Scholsem | |
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| Course contents :
| The course is divided in three parts. The first part is devoted to the structure and functioning of the central (federal) State and covers the first quadrimester. The second part aims at explaining the Belgian federal system (Communities and Regions). The third part covers the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
This division is in some way arbitrary. All the problems are in fact interlined. For example, a question of human right might shed new light on the principle of separation of powers or on the functioning of the Belgian federalism. | |
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| Course objective :
| This course remains general, it is an introductory course given in second year to lawyers as well as to students in political science.
However, it already goes quite in depth. It essentially aims at an understanding of the real functioning of the Belgian constitutional system.
It draws on practice, customary law and case law. Documentary files (2 volumes and addendum) given to the students are thus a basic tool for the study.
For the exam, the students must have at their disposal these documentary files, their personal notes taken during the lessons, as well as all the relevant legal texts. The exam is organized in an "open book" manner. The aim is to minimize the mere memorizing work and the enhance the true understanding of the matter. | |
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| Prerequisites :
| As a second year course, there is no prerequisite. The course is open to "free" students, foreign students, SOCRATES students, and so on. | |
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| Organization :
| The course is given twice a week (2 hours lectures) during the first and the second quadrimester.
Starting in November, repetitions are given by two students-assistants. These repetitions bring no new matter but explain more in depth some difficult issues.
To be useful, these repetitions require an active participation of the students. | |
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| Written notes :
| There are documentary files (two volumes and addendum). Make sure you buy the up-dated ones.
These documentary files help to illustrate the lectures, but we do not use all the cases included in the files. A selection is done and announced during the lectures and repetitions. There is no full written text of the lectures, but a detailed summary. This summary is very helpful for the students in order to enable them to check whether their personal notes, taken during the lectures, are complete or not. An active note taking during the lectures is thus indispensable. | |
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| Assessment :
| The exam is "open book". The student must take with him all the necessary documents (Constitution and legal texts, personal notes and documentary files). All annotations are permitted and even welcomed.
A good organization of all these documents is the first step to success. Some students use a personal computer during the exam.
The purpose of the exam is less to check mere knowledge (as the student has all the necessary materials at his disposal) than to appreciate a real understanding and a sound method of reasoning in legal matters. | |
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| Contacts :
| Assistants: 04/366.30.28 - 30.32 V. JACQUEMIN Valerie.Jacquemin@ulg.ac.be N. BANNEUX Nicolas.Banneux@ulg.ac.be | |
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