Study Programmes 2015-2016
DROI1211-1  
Juridical terminology and text analysis in English
Duration :
30h Th
Number of credits :
Bachelor in law4
Extra courses intended for exchange students (Erasmus, ...)4
Lecturer :
François van der Mensbrugghe
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the second semester
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
The aim of the Legal English course is to introduce law students to a broad range of legal texts 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 and a thorough glossary of legal terms specifically suited for the course and accessible on-line (E-reading).
Learning outcomes of the course :
By the end of this course, students should be able to: 1). convey the meaning of a Common Law judgment in their native language (by way of reminder, this course only requires a "passive" understanding of legal English);
2). command the structure of the court system in the United States and the United Kingdom, in addition to understanding the main features of Civil Procedure in both countries;
3). discuss and analyze several key areas of contemporary legal debate (current and developing trends) in the English-speaking world.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
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.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
The course involves reading a significant number of legal texts in English. All texts will be made available online (E-reading).
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Given during the second semester, classes take place on Friday mornings, from 10:00 to 12:00.
Classes are given in the "..." auditorium.
The first class will take place on Friday, February 5, 2016.
Recommended or required readings :
The texts will be made available online (E-reading).
Besides the texts themselves, the entire course is based on extensive usage of a Powerpoint presentation, available on the website of the course.
Assessment methods and criteria :
The form of the exam is a two and a half hour written examination comprising the understanding of two texts - one analyzed in class, the other not analyzed in class. Certain words must be specifically translated into French.
Students are also requested to define 5 concepts (10 lines each). The exam finishes with a short essay question based on the understanding of several texts.
Responses are generally expected to be given in French.
A special exam may be organized for those foreign students who feel more comfortable answering in English than in French.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
See above, Mode of delivery.
Contacts :
fvdmensbrugghe@ulg.ac.be
Items online :
Civil liberties in the UK
Four cases relating to civil liberties and the Human Rights Act 1998.
Contract Law
Two cases on Contract Law
Criminal Law in the USA
Capital punishment and juveniles
Family Law
Family Law in the UK, Canada and USA
Family Law (Part 2)
Family Law in the USA (USA v. Windsor - complete text)
Powerpoint presentation for 12/02/2016
See above
Handout: Big Valley of Pomo Indians v. Gregory Sexton
First case: Introduction to the course
Introduction (+ Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians)
The basic introduction and first case.
Legal English Documentation (complete set of texts)
The complete set of documents (cases, statutes, glossary, and U.S. Constitution) for the Legal English course.
Powers-Part1
Powers - Part 1 (mainly devoted to guns in the USA)
Powers-Part2
Preemption in the USA and judicial review in the UK...
Sample exam (June 2015)
Sample exam of June 2015
Tort Law
Four cases (and one newspaper article) on the law of torts.