Corsi di Studio del Dipartimento di Giurisprudenza

Level B1+/2 in English according to the Common European Framework

The primary aim of the course is to concentrate on aspects of the language of legal English, in order to be able to use it in a proper way. We will do this by looking at the English legal system, its courts and the legal profession, as well as to some specific matters, like contracts, tort law, international law and criminal law. We will focus on the language used in international legal contexts and on some difficulties involved in translating legal documents. 

Demonstration of the development of language skills in English to a B1+/B2 level as related to the topics covered in the course. 

40 hours of lessons, conducted in English. The lessons will be student-centred with an emphasis on participation in the form of various activities, from writing to speaking. 

Due to the Covid19 situation, unfortunately, it will not be possible to have the lessons in presence.

Therefore, this course will be divided into different teaching blocks.

The different teaching blocks will be organised through a blend of different components:  presentations with a vocal comment, virtual room (Webex) sessions for interaction with students, assignments of reaction papers, students’ online presentations etc.

Presentations with a vocal comment will be made available through the e-learning platform (www.unito.it)

A more precise balance of the different components is dependent on the evolution of health restrictions and will be communicated to the students before the commencement of the course.

It is therefore essential and compulsory that all the students enrol in the teaching platform to have full access both to materials, discussions and communications"

For the exam, students:

1) will be required to present an extended essay in English and

2) will be questioned on the required book.

The essay will be a 2,500-word paper (excluding abstract, notes, bibliography, tables, illustrations, etc.) on a "legal" topic. 

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

There is no specific format required.

The topic will be chosen freely by the student 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 in an existing case 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).

The paper must be submitted AT LEAST TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE EXAM DATE TO ME VIA EMAIL (in Word or Open Office format). If a student fails to submit the paper in time, the student will not be able to access the oral part of the exam.

During the oral part of the exam:

1) Students will present their paper, in 5 minutes, and 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).

2) Students will be questioned on the book listed in the "Required Materials".

Equal weight is given to all aspects (paper and oral part).

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.  

For the oral part of the exam, in the day of the exam you will have to connect to this link: https://unito.webex.com/meet/stefano.faraoni

 

I will be available via e.mail or via Webex.

The course will cover different areas of Legal English. We will understand the roots of communication, as well as how to learn and remember in the most efficient way. We will study skills and strategies in the four areas of language learning (reading, writing, listening and speaking), and practical applications of these language skills. Topics specific to legal English will include:

--Terminology

--Private law

--Criminal law

--Public law

--Legal drafting and advocacy

--Lex mercatoria

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)

 

Schedule. Legal English Course