Legal English
Objectives
Course aims:
(i) Familliarising students with fundamental legal concepts and their application (both practical and theoretical) across different domains
2) Sharpening the conceptual and linguistic tools students need to express themselves clearly, precisely, rigorously, and correctly in English
3) Giving students the opportunity to develop and perfect their English communication skills in different legal contexts
4) Creating an environment in which students can acquire transferable legal and analytic skills which will allow them to work confidently and comfortably in English, as well as in Portuguese.
General characterization
Code
37030
Credits
4
Responsible teacher
RAQUEL BARRADAS DE FREITAS
Hours
Weekly - 2
Total - 24
Teaching language
English
Prerequisites
Not Applicable
Bibliography
|
Students will be given a full reading list for the course (divided by weekly topics) one week before the start of the new academic year. |
Teaching method
Lecture and participation.
Evaluation method
Students will be assessed on two grounds:
(i) Regular participation in seminars
(ii) A written assessment at the end of the semester: a 2500-word essay on a topic of their choice.
Subject matter
The course will be delivered in 14 weekly 2-hour seminars.
Week 1: Introductory remarks. Overview of the course and planning.
Week 2: Fundamental concepts in Public Law
Week 3: Fundamental concepts in Private Law
Week 4: Responsibility
Week 5: Authority
Week 6: Rights, duties, interests
Week 7: Unlawfulness v blameworthiness (justification/excuse)
Week 8: Contracts and promises
Week 9: Autonomy
Week 10: Interpretation (or the judicial role)
Week 11: Recent cases I (public law): Miller II, 2019 (UK)
Week 12: Recent cases II (fundamental rights): Dobbs, 2022 (USA)
Week 13: Recent cases III (tort): Darnley, 2018 (UK)
Week 14: Presentations by students of a small project for assessment. Comments and feedback.