Study Programmes 2016-2017
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
Learning unit 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 learning unit :
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 Thursday mornings, from 08:30 to 10:30.
The first class will take place on Thursday, February 9, 2017.
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.
No document, course related material or dictionaries are allowed in the examination room.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
See above, Mode of delivery.
Contacts :
fvdmensbrugghe@ulg.ac.be
The office of Professor van der Mensbrugghe is R.35.
Items online :
Civil liberties in the UK
Four cases related to human rights in the UK.
Civil liberties in the UK
HRA cases
Contract Law
Various cases on the law of contract.
Criminal Law in the USA
Two capital punishment cases.
Family Law
Powerpoint presentation related to 3 Family law cases (England, Canada, USA).
Glanville Williams and Labor Law
Glanville Williams on basic legal terminology and further developments on labor law.
Handout No 1: Big Valley of Pomo Indians v. Gregory Sexton
1st labor law case (+ Indian casinos).
Handout No 2: Glanville Williams - Learning the Law
Basic legal English vocabulary (and a few pitfalls).
Handout No 3: Bruce Barcellona et al. v. Tiffany English Pub., Inc.
2nd labor law case.
Introduction (+ Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians)
Introduction to the course + study of 1st case (Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians)
Powers-Part2
The question of balance of powers (and guns in US law)...
Powers-Part2
Vertaical federalism in the USA (cont'd) and powers in the UK.
Powers-Part2
Powers
Powers-Part2
Powers
Sample exam (June 2016)
Sample exam of June 2016.
Tort Law
Different cases on the law of torts.
United States v. Windsor (handout)
DOMA cases, United States v. Windsor (2013).