History of law

Duration

36h Th, 15h Lect.

Number of credits

Lecturer

Elisabeth Bruyère, Wim Decock

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course invites students to critically analyse contemporary legal phenomena in the light of the history of law. Through the study of legal sources and institutions, from late antiquity to the present day, it highlights the historical and evolving nature of law, which serves not only as an instrument of social regulation but also as a vehicle for representations and a factor in the structuring of inequalities.

The course aims to examine law as a historical and cultural category. What a society or an era recognises as falling within the realm of 'law' varies according to context and historical period, meaning that the very definition of this category constitutes a matter of power. By adopting a historical perspective, the course enables students to develop a critical perspective on the concepts and categories that currently shape legal thought.

Finally, it introduces them to historical research methods, notably through the analysis of sources specific to the history of law, the mastery of critical concepts, and the reading of academic literature in order to identify the key works and debates shaping these disciplines.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Read and contextualise a legal source within its political, religious, economic and social context. Explain the main sources and institutions of law from Late Antiquity to the present day, and identify the ideological underpinnings and social circumstances underlying changes in the law.
• Establish a reasoned link between an ancient legal mechanism and a present-day situation, without equating the two. Compare legal mechanisms from different periods and places and identify continuities and breaks, whilst avoiding both anachronism and a narrative of progress. Question historical periodisations.
• To examine the definition of law as a historical and cultural category: to identify what a society or an era recognises as 'law', who determines this, and with what effects. To distinguish between what a text states and what it legitimises, by identifying who is represented in it, who is excluded from it, and on what grounds. Analyse discourses of hierarchisation (civilisation and barbarism, custom and written law, archaic and modern) and demonstrate how they have served, and may still serve, to legitimise inequalities.
• Organise their thinking, establish links between the different parts of the course, and construct a nuanced argument based on academic articles and primary sources.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

None.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Ex cathedra teaching, combined with self-study of texts which are a full part of the course. 

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face and self-study

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

The course material comprises the lectures and students' notes, the course outline, the slides and the compulsory reading. Access to a list of supplementary resources is also provided and recommended for those who wish to explore the subject in greater depth: videos, podcasts, optional articles, etc.

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )


Further information:

The written exam consists of open-ended questions and multiple-choice questions.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

This course takes place in the first term.

Contacts

Élisabeth Bruyère : elisabeth.bruyere@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs

There is no MOOC associated with this course.


Further information:

Students who are not taking the Roman law course can also access Prof. J.-F. Gerkens's ULiège MOOC on Roman law.