Duration
30h Th, 6h QA Sess.
Number of credits
| Bachelor in law | 3 crédits | |||
| Bachelor in political sciences : general | 3 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The course will focus on the definition of 2 main concepts of sociology: Interest and Value. The classical sociology and Machiavelli have created the concept of interest: the idea of a calculation, related to the idea of adaptation to a situation. The concept of value sends back to a community of strong and shared feelings. We shall present the analyses of Machiavelli, Montesquieu, de Tocqueville and Weber of this subject.
Contemporary sociology proposes the termsof " strategy" and "norm" to define these same realities. To do so, we will rely on the method proposed by Crozier in his book "The Bureaucratic Phenomenon".
Finally, we will apply these sociological concepts and methods to the technological innovations which recently led to a reconfiguration of legal practice and knowledge. Based on a few research articles and on some conferences given by professionals, we will question the interests and values at stake in concrete legaltech projects.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
To explore and engage with a key line of reasoning that lies at the heart of sociology: the link between interests and values.
To understand the relative nature of collective action and organizing processes across time and space, through an examination of some major sociological works, from Machiavelli to Crozier and Callon.
To engage with social sciences and their relationships with law, politics, science, work, culture, economics and (groups of) individuals.
To be familiar with and understand concepts and theories drawn from other disciplines (notably economics, political science, philosophy, psychology, anthropology, history, theology and ethics) in order to grasp the role, scope and limitations of law and justice.
Understand certain issues relating to the digitisation of law and justice.
This understanding will be assessed through a comparison of authors or approaches: it is therefore important not to limit oneself to a systematic presentation of a single author or a single point, but to be able to make comparisons and draw connections between various parts of the course.
N.B.: With regard to historical knowledge, students should be able to situate the authors and events in their historical context.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
none
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Face-to-face classes.
The first 8 sessions consist of lectures.
Two sessions are organised on the 'flipped classroom' model (1 hour of group homework marking) followed by a talk led by an expert on the topic being studied (1 hour).
Three revision sessions are also organised during the term. Led by a student tutor, these sessions enable you to gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter and the links between the different chapters.
If health measures require it, the course will switch to distance learning via live streaming and podcasts.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
Second semester
The private lessons are optional and are considered as a revision of the course and organised in questions/answers sessions.
To know when, where and about what the examination will be, please consult the notice board.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
O. Kuty et Dubois C., de la Valeur à la norme, Editions De Boeck, 2019
The chapters on the sessions concerning the digitisation of the law are taken from a book available to students on Orbi: Dubois, C., & Pelssers, L., 2025, Transforming Belgian law and justice through digital technology? Insights from seven case studies. Presses Universitaires de Liège.
Link: https://hdl.handle.net/2268/329568
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )
Further information:
Any session :
- In-person
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )
- Remote
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )
- If evaluation in "hybrid"
preferred in-person
Additional information:
Writen examination with open questions and multiple choice
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
additional documents distributed before or after the sessions
Contacts
F. Schoenaers@uliege.be
C.Dubois@uliege.be