University of Liege | Version française
Academic year 2014-2015Value date : 12/05/2015
DROI8003-2  The Law of Nationality : European and International Perspectives, including linguistic support
- The law of nationality : European and international perscpectives
- Supplementary Language Module - English

Duration :  The law of nationality : European and international perscpectives : 15h Th
Supplementary Language Module - English : 15h AUTR
Number of credits :  
Bachelor in Law, 3rd year3
Extra courses intended for exchange students (Erasmus, ...)3
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Lecturer :  The law of nationality : European and international perscpectives : Patrick Wautelet
Supplementary Language Module - English : Frédéric Depas, Pierre Geron, Ellen Harry, Caroline Hougardy, ISLV, Victoria Purchon
Coordinator :  Antoinette Gosselin
Language(s) of instruction :  
English language
Organisation and examination :  
Teaching in the second semester
Course contents :  
The course is taught in English and is organized in two parts : - in the first part, the course will focus on the legal discipline; it will be taught by a law professor, in English; - in the second part, language support is offered by a linguist (operating with the islv), in close contact with the revelant professor.

The law of nationality : European and international perscpectives

The course is meant as an introduction to the law of nationality. It aims to make it possible for students to understand the main principles underlying the law of nationality and draw their attention to the fact that nationality issues can only be solved by looking at various branches of law (public law, international law, private international law, family law). The course will draw from the law of different European states, among which Belgium.
Among the themes which will be studied, we will start with the evolution of the main rules relating to acquisition of the nationality under the influence of demographic changes, such as the increased migration to continental European countries. The influence of general principles such as the non-discrimination will also be studied. Likewise, we will look other broader themes, such as the influence of the European unification on the nationality of Member States, the evolving attitude of States towards dual nationalities or the issue of fraud in nationality matters.
When reviewing these general themes, the law of various countries will be used to point out to general trends. Some of the examples will derive from the law of Belgian nationality. This course does not, however, focus solely on Belgian law.
During the course the focus will be not so much on the technical legal rules but rather on the general principles and policy questions which are inevitably raised by nationality law issues. Likewise, the course will also focus on the numerous links existing between the law of nationality and other legal disciplines.

Supplementary Language Module - English

This supplementary English module aims at making it easier for students to deal with the language of law classes taught in English.
It focuses mainly on active skills such as speaking and writing in areas covered by law classes taught in English, and on vocabulary relevant to those classes.
Students will also study various language functions that are typical in a legal and academic context in order to improve oral interactions in the classroom, oral presentations, summing up texts, expressing the opinion of another or expressing one's opinion, or drafting and presenting case briefs.

Learning outcomes of the course :  
The law of nationality : European and international perscpectives

The objective is twofold : on the one hand give students a basic overview of the main rules of nationality law (drawn from the law of various Western European states), but also shed some light on the main concepts and topical questions in the field studied, in particular by outlining recent evolution and current trends.

Supplementary Language Module - English

At the end of this class, students will have improved their legal English skills in an academic environment.
Students will be better at using English during law classes. They will be better prepared to deal with the language of law classes taught in English.

Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :  
The course follows and builds upon the course of "foreign language in a legal context" which is part of the program of the first and second years of bachelor in law?

The law of nationality : European and international perscpectives

Students should at least have a good command of the English language, preferably in a legal context. No prior knowledge of Belgian law is required. A basic knowledge of elementary public (and family) law will provide an advantage.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :  
Supplementary Language Module - English

This language module is not optional and regular attendance as well as active participation is strictly necessary.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :  
The law of nationality : European and international perscpectives

The course will be taught in lecture style, in English. Students will, however, be invited to prepare the lectures and read the cases assigned for the next lecture, especially rulings of the ECJ. Students may be required to participate actively in the discussion of these rulings during class meetings.

Preparation is strongly recommended, especially if the student's command of the English language is limited.

Supplementary Language Module - English

This in-class course consists of ten 90-minute sessions.

Recommended or required readings :  
The law of nationality : European and international perscpectives

The instructor will make available a collection of materials (texts of international conventions and Belgian statutory materials, but also a collection of cases, both from Belgian and foreign courts). The instructor will make available (ppt) slides summarizing the main points outlined for each theme addressed during the class, as well as an outline.

Supplementary Language Module - English

Practicalities about course material will be provided in due time.

Assessment methods and criteria :  
Each student will obtain a global mark for the course, which consists of two separate grades, one for each section of the cours, as follows: - 3/4 of the global mark for the legal part - 1/4 of the global mark for the language support part.
A student who obtains a grade equal or lower than 8/20 for one of the two components is not entitled to obtain more than 9/20 for the global mark.
An exemption for a part can be obtained for the second examination session.
But no partial exemptions can be obtained for one or the other section of the course, from one year to the next.

The law of nationality : European and international perscpectives

Students will be required to take part in an oral exam. They will be asked to solve one or several practical case. Students can use primary materials (statutory material, international treaties) to prepare and solve the exam. After a period of preparation of around 20 min, the student will be asked to present its answers to the examinator. The exam will be conducted in English.

Supplementary Language Module - English

The assessment will consist of an oral exam with preparation. It will take place during the June exam session.

Work placement(s) :  
Organizational remarks :  
The law of nationality : European and international perscpectives

Students registered for the bachelor in laws at the University of Liège and taking up this course, are required to sign up as well for an additional training in English. This additional training is not compulsory for Erasmus students and other students signing up for the course.
Contacts :  
The law of nationality : European and international perscpectives

Questions and observations may be sent to patrick.wautelet@ulg.ac.be during the term. Students may always get in touch with the instructor before and after each session.

Supplementary Language Module - English

Frédéric Depas Pierre Geron Caroline Hougardy(C.Hougardy@ulg.ac.be (coordinator) Victoria Lemaire)


Items online :  
The law of nationality : European and international perscpectives

Comparative nationality law
Collection of ppt-presentations which were used as basis for the various plenary meetings



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