Sources and principles of law [DROIB101]

Learning outcomes

Legal skills

    Understand the concepts, rules and principles on which most branches of Belgian law are based (a "legal toolbox").
    Understand the law as a system made up of a variety of interrelated sources.
    Develop the prerequisites of a humanities and social sciences culture, capable of decoding legal phenomena.
    Master the basics of critical thinking about the law.
    Master the methods and tools for researching general documents useful for analysing a particular legal issue, with a view to using the results in a personal project.
    Move from the abstraction of the standard to the concrete fact and, conversely, transform a problem in the field into legal questions, particularly through practical work.
    Becoming aware of the relative and evolving nature of legal solutions and the controversies they can generate.

Cross-curricular skills

    Working in a group (preparing answers to questions posed in class or in practical exercises; possibility of writing group work)
    Public speaking (answering questions live in class and in practical exercises; debating in class and in practical exercises)
    Communicate, orally and in writing, an idea, a line of reasoning or the results of legal research in accordance with scientific ethics
    Defend a point of view in a reasoned manner (during a debate; during a development question in the exam)
    Enrich the material taught through personal contributions (orally in class; through work on Sources and Principles of Law)
    use the French language as a tool for legal thinking and master legal terminology
    Gradually acquire confidence and autonomy in their work.

Objectives

The course has three main objectives.

Firstly, the Sources and Principles of Law course is a 'legal toolbox'. It aims to provide students with the legal foundations they need to build up their knowledge of the specific subjects they will be taught during their law degree. The course also stresses the importance of taking an interest in current affairs and forming one's own opinion that can be debated by peers.

Secondly, the Sources and Principles of Law course aims to give students an overview of the coherence and essential role of the law in our democratic society, through questions relating to the definition of the law, its legitimacy, the identification of the branches of law, the drafting of the law and its application and interpretation.

Finally, the Sources and Principles of Law course also aims to give each student an insight into the professional horizons that will open up to him or her. This dimension, which relates to the raison d'être of studying law, is important in the first year, as it provides the motivation needed to overcome any discouragement that may arise during the course of their studies.

Content

The course is structured in two parts.

Part I. Identification of the law.

Part II. The development and application of law by the legislator, the courts and the lawyer.

Table of contents

See "Content" above.

Exercises description

Exercises are included in the syllabus, some of which are solved in class with the teacher. These are mainly reflection questions at the end of a subject chapter.

Exercises that do not appear in the syllabus, and are linked in particular to current affairs, are proposed in the lecture. These involve solving case studies, brainstorming questions or debates.

Finally, 5 sessions of practical work are given by the assistants. These consist mainly of solving case studies and cover the following themes during the periods indicated:

1) Internormativity (November)
2) Standards (December)
3) The creation of law (March)
4) The work of courts and tribunals (March)
5) Mock exam - Exam preparation (May)