Among the many norms that govern the behaviour of individuals and organisations, legal norms are special. How can you tell apart law from what is not law? Understand the specific nature of the law.
From News to Law: Understanding Legal Systems and Actors
Course Summary
Is the removal of a head of state by force an act of war? A violation of the Constitution? Can climate activists bring Oil majors to court? How does this work? Legal questions are ubiquitous, and they matter. Beginning with news accounts of real-world situations in which the law is applied, not applied, or contested, his course will introduce key legal concepts that help make sense of current legal developments, including some aberrations. You will investigate the legal reality behind the news: what law applies, what court is competent, and what laws and courts can do. You will read and discuss real legal documents and engage with controversies. Whether or not you intend to study law, this course will equip you with a fundamental toolkit to understand the world around you.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
| Description | Mapped to Human Intelligence | |
|---|---|---|
| CLO 1 | Describe and identify core legal concepts (e.g., legal order, legal rule, court, jurisdiction, hierarchy of norms) | CI3 – Mastery of Theoretical Foundations |
| CLO 2 | Apply core legal concepts to real-world situations, at international and national level | CI4 – Mastery in Knowledge Application |
| CLO 3 | Accessibly communicate the main elements characterising a real-world situation where the application of the law is disputed (trial, controversy) using the core concepts covered in the course | SEI3 – Effective Communication |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Weighting of Course Grade | Group Assessment? | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | Evaluative – Quiz | 30% | No |
| Assessment 2 | Group presentation – Poster | 30% | Yes |
| Assessment 3 | Practical – Case Study | 40% | No |
Indicative List
of Topics
Laws are organised in legal systems, both at the national and international levels. Discover how, in your country, the constitution relates to what the government does and how the European Union impacts what happens in Parliament.
Some actors play a key role in legal processes. Identify what governments, parliaments and courts contribute to the legal system in your country and who produces and applies EU laws.
Law is known for its jargon. It also uses ordinary words. Most importantly, it uses language in very specific ways. Engage with how applying a legal word to a situation produces effects in the real world.
