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| DROI1211-1 | Juridical terminology and text analysis in English
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| Duration : | 30h Th |
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| Credits/ECTS : |
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| Holder(s) : | François van der Mensbrugghe |
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| Language : | French language |
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| Course contents : | The aim of the English Legal Terminology course is to introduce law students to a broad range of legal English that will assist them in their academic and professional undertakings. The method of the course goes beyond mere translation and the memorizing of lists of vocabulary. It is meant to provide an introductory understanding of the legal culture of the English-speaking world so that students may convey their understanding in a non-English speaking context. In order to achieve this objective, students are invited to read a vast array of texts taken from the Common law (and specifically the English and American legal environments). Besides judicial decisions and statutory instruments, the material comprises academic writings as well as law reports taken from leading English newspapers. In addition to the reading material itself, the course provides a vast number of exercises, a sample version of the exam, and a thorough glossary of legal terms specifically suited for the course. |
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| Course objective : | See above. |
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| Prerequisites : | Students are not requested to fulfill any specific requirements before taking the course. In particular, no "active" knowledge of English is necessary. Those students who feel they have a "below average" command of English are kindly invited to make this known at the outset of the course. |
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| Organization : | Given during the first semester, classes take place on Monday mornings, from 10:30 to 12:30.
Classes are given in the "Portalis" Auditorium.
The first class will take place on Monday, 21 September. |
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| Written notes : | A case-book, containing relevant judgments, exercises and an English-French glossary, should be available during the first week of class.
Hand-outs for the very first class will be distributed in the auditorium.
Besides the case-book itself, the entire course is based on extensive usage of a Powerpoint presentation, available on the website of the course. |
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| Assessment : | The form of the exam is a two-hour written examination comprising the translation and comment of two texts - one analyzed in class, the other not analyzed in class. Students are also requested to define 5 concepts (10 lines each). The exam finishes with a short essay question based on the understanding of three texts.
Responses are generally expected to be given in French. A special exam is organized for those foreign students who consider they feel more comfortable answering in English than in French. Generally this exam is given upon appointment and takes place orally. |
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| Contacts : | fvdmensbrugghe@ulg.ac.be |
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