Face-to-face , second term, 30 hours of theory.

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French (which does not exempt from reading sources in Dutch or English).

At the end of the seminar, the students should:
o have opened themselves to fundamental issues and a critical reflection on law and philosophy of law;
o have acquired the capability to understand texts of theory of law, to synthesise them and critique them in a group discussion;
o have thoroughly studied, in a critical perspective, through personal research, and by using aspects of both positive law and theory of law, an issue relating to social law in the broadest sense;
o have been able to write a text of about 20 pages on this topic, basing themselves on personal research and on a relatively extended bibliography, providing a critical analysis of the studied question;
o have been able to present in class in front of their fellow students, the results of their work in an oral presentation of 15 - 20 minutes.

The students should have followed the “Introduction to contemporary legal thinking” course given during the first semester.

The content of the seminar, of which the theme changes each year, is structured around the following approaches:

- first of all, we will proceed with the reading and discussion of texts on different general topics of theory of law (for instance, epistemology of law, sources of law, the role played by doctrine and the judge, temporality of the rule, etc.). Then, the readings will cover more specific themes that illustrate the chosen general theme (for example, new general principles of law) or more focused on a particular theme (for example, the precautionary principle, the standstill principle, etc.). When possible, the general theme will be developed in different branches of law (civil, commercial, social, criminal, public, etc.).

- After the introductory reading sessions, the students are invited to make further research on one of the specific topics that are proposed. At the end of the second semester of the third year, each student is invited to hand in this work of about twenty typed pages. Beforehand, the students will be asked to provide an outline of their work in order to review it with the seminar professor. During the second semester of the third year, the students will be asked to develop the results of their research in an oral presentation of about fifteen to twenty minutes.

The texts that the students are requested to read during the first part of the seminar will be available at the reprography service. For the research on the chosen theme, the seminar professor will provide bibliographical information. Active attendance at every weekly session is compulsory as well as the handing in of a work outline and attendance at the presentations.
For the students who wish to meet the professor, he will be available to answer questions during scheduled duty hours or by appointment.

The assessment is based for 80 % on the quality of the written work. This evaluation is based on the criteria defined at the beginning of the seminar (outline, understanding of the subject, coherence, critical thinking, written expression, analytical mind, methodology and research). The remaining 20% are based on the students' participation in class and on their oral presentation. The correction of the work will be explained in writing and the students are invited to read of it.
The obtained mark is equivalent in regards to exemptions, to that of a course.

Provided with the reading file.
For the research on the chosen theme, the seminar professor will provide bibliographical information.

Reading portfolio.