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

English (possibly with some sources in French or Dutch)

At the end of the seminar, the student should :

o have opened his/her mind to the fundamental questions and to a critical reflection on law and legal theory ;
o have acquired the ability to understand texts in legal theory, to summarise and discuss those in class ;
o have analysed a legal issue extensively and from a critical point of view, mobilizing both positive law and legal theory ;
o have written a critical essay on the issue, based on personal research;
o have presented the result of his/her research to his/her fellow students;

For the Bachelor in Law :

None

The seminars focus on various themes and issues, from year to year and depending on professors.

Six reading sessions consist in a discussion and analysis of texts (previously read and summarised by the students). Texts might vary from general issues of legal theory to more specific writings related to the specific topic of the seminar. Our general approach is always conceptual, critical and interdisciplinary, and transversal if possible (i.e. crossing various branches of law).

Students are also guided towards the writing of a personal and critical 20-page essay in legal theory. Before submitting their final paper, they will present their research to their fellow students.

Mandatory readings are made available to the students on moodle.

A brief summary of the scheduled texts must be submitted by students before each class.

Attendance to and participation in every class (oral presentation day incl.) is compulsory.

Professors are available for 1-to-1 discussions with students, upon request. An individual meeting is scheduled, before the oral presentations and submission of the final essays, in order for each one of them to discuss their structure/argumentary with their professor.

Final marks are most heavily determined by the quality of the essay, the assessment of which will be based on the following criteria: structure of the essay; significance and conceptualization of the research question; interdisciplinarity and discernment; quality of the research and bibliography; general understanding of the topic and of the relevant literature;
writing skills and methodology.

This mark may be slightly altered in the light of the participation in the reading sessions; the quality of the oral presentation; the quality of the reading summaries.

On moodle.