Corsi di Studio del Dipartimento di Giurisprudenza

Lingua inglese

English language

Anno accademico 2019/2020

Sommario insegnamento

• Obiettivi formativi
• Risultati dell'apprendimento attesi
• Modalità di insegnamento
• Modalità di verifica dell'apprendimento
• Attività di supporto
• Programma
• Testi consigliati e bibliografia
• Note
• Strumenti didattici

Obiettivi formativi

The main aim of the course is to provide students with knowledge of aspects of legal systems in English speaking countries (mainly the British Isles) and the relative language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) for general and specific (legal/political) purposes.

The aims of the course are not simply to focus on passing exams but on building on the students’ knowledge and skills.

Risultati dell'apprendimento attesi

At the exam, students will be expected to demonstrate language skills at least at a B2+/C1 (CEFR) level and a thorough knowledge of the legal aspects,  in addition to an understanding of the legal systems in English speaking countries

Equal weight will be given to the legal and linguistic aspects.

Modalità di insegnamento

Student-centred approach and participation (collaboratively group work, task-based learning, oral presentations; discussion workshops).

The 40 hour course will be in English.

Full participation is expected as is a certain amount of self-study (assignments).

Due to the Covid situation, the class will be held online with the e-learning platform.

Modalità di verifica dell'apprendimento

For the exam, students will be required to present an extended essay in English and  will be questioned on the required book. This essay will be a 2,500-word paper (excluding abstract, notes, bibliography, tables, illustrations, etc.) on a "legal" topic. Content beyond 3,000 words will not be read.

The paper must be an original work prepared specifically for this course (not already submitted for another course). It will be checked for plagiarism.

The topic will be chosen by the student in between different possible topics. Could be something related to:

1) a particular case 

2) a contract

3) a defence

4) a legal topic

If you choose a case, you will identify a case of your interest and then you can follow the "Case Log" as provided in the book on pages 226 - 227.

If you choose a defence in a trial, you will identify an existent defence and then analyse the strategy, explaining the elements taken into account and their meaning. 

If you choose a contract, you can explain how it is structured, how the different parts are named and related, what the parties to the contract wanted to agree on, which are the effects of the contract and so on. 

If you choose a legal topic, you can explain a topic of your interest, focusing on the language proper of that topic (e.g. blockchain language, IP language, international contracts language etc).

The paper must be in English (if any other languages are used then full translations must be supplied) and will be then present (without reading) and discussed at the oral part of the exam.

NB Due to the Covid situation, the oral part of the exam will be held online until it will not be possible to do it in presence.  

Students will be evaluated on the content of their paper; the presentation; the knowledge of the subject; as well as on the linguistic aspects (grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, intonation).

Students are expected to show an understanding of the legal systems in English-speaking countries and will be questioned on the book listed in "Required Materials.". Equal weight is given to all aspects.

The paper must be submitted AT LEAST TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE EXAM DATE TO ME VIA EMAIL (in Word or Open Office format)

Attività di supporto

Handouts and additional references will be provided as needed. I will be available before and after the lessons to answer questions on an as-needed basis.

Programma

The course, for students who should already be at a B2 level (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages [CEFR]) of English, will be divided into three parts.

Part 1 (introductory part) will focus on revising/consolidating English grammar in relation to legal texts (punctuation, verbs and phrasal verbs, sentence structures, gender-neutral pronouns and adjectives, etc);

Part 2 will focus on legal English terminology; brief history of Legal English; difficulties involved in translating legal terms; types of legal texts; the Plain Language Movement; how to build a good legal vocabulary.

Part 3 (main part) - In this part of the course specific laws and cases will be discussed  also focusing on reading, speaking, listening and writing skills and strategies. It will involve more active student participation (pair and group work) and applications of language skills using a range of general and specific legal texts in (inter)national legal and political contexts: 

- The Language of the English legal system, its courts and the legal profession, the British Constitution.

- Criminal Law.

- Tort Law.

- Contract Law.

The course has one required book. This is:

A. Riley e P. Sours, Legal English and the Common Law-Legal Grammar Handbook, CEDAM, Padova, 2018

You are required to study each and any part of the book, included the cases.

(It is not required to study the part of the book which contains the grammar explanation. You will not be questioned on grammar rules)

Recommendations for grammar books, dictionaries (general as well as legal English), and other materials will be provided in class and on request, as necessary.

You can find slides with an audio comment on the e-learning platform.

Note

UPDATE 9/03/2020

Due to the Coronavirus emergency, the lessons will not be held, until authorization, in presence. I will upload, as requested by the Faculty, some slides with audio during next days. 

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