Basic Course in Law, 15 hp

Innehåll

Basic Course in Law consists of two parts, one concentrating on Swedish law and one concentrating on European Union law, with separate examinations. The two parts of the course are taught simultaneously. The content of the two parts of the course is described in more detail below.

All aspects of this course, including the examination, are conducted in English.
 

Förväntade studieresultat

Expected learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of the two parts of the course are described in detail below.

Required knowledge
General requirements for university studies.

Part I Introduction to Swedish Law
Contents of Part I
The objective of Part I is to give the students a general overview of the Swedish legal system, with emphasis on the sources of law and legal methods. A few areas of substantive law will also be presented, mainly as examples of the construction of both private and public law. 

This part will focus on the sources of law and the legal method used by judges, lawyers and other legal professions. It will include a brief presentation of constitutional law, the machinery of government, the court system, the administrative and civil procedural law and the public access to official documents.  The substantive law part will cover some areas such as property law, contract and commercial law, labour law and mainly-economic family law.

Expected learning outcomes of Part I
After completing the course the student shall:

be familiar with basic central parts of the Swedish administrative and judicial system and procedure
have knowledge of some substantive legal areas and the legal methods to solve problems in these areas
be able to identify, explain and analyse elementary legal rules concerning the mentioned legal  areas
be able to apply that knowledge and those abilities to concrete ordinary situations

Form of instruction of Part I
The teaching consists of lectures and seminars. The seminars will require the students to solve various theoretical and practical legal tasks and problems according to instructions given by each seminar’s instructor in conjunction with the lectures.  The students will be divided into small study units of 2 to 6 students. These working groups shall, together before the seminars, prepare and discuss their assignments and present their findings in class. Some of the seminars are mandatory, since they are to a large extent based on student activities before and during class. The obligatory assignments are indicated in the schedule. Attendance at the lectures is optional but strongly recommended. A student who has been accepted and registered for the course has the right to teaching and guidance only during the term/academic year when he/she was accepted and registered.

Part II – European Union Law
Contents of Part II
The overall aim of Part II is for the students to attain basic knowledge of the EU legal system. Part II is broadly divided into three parts. The first part consists of a presentation of the historical background of the EU, its institutional structure, character of legal sources and the policy making process. The second part gives an overview of the substantive rights and obligations protected by EU law with a focus on the rules of the internal market. The third and final part focuses on the enforcement of EU law vis-à-vis the Union, the Member States, and individuals.

Expected learning Outcomes of Part II
After completing the course, the student shall:

be familiar with the history and development of the European Union, the institutions of the European Union, the sources of EU law and the policy making process,
be familiar with and able to apply central elements of substantive EU law,
have knowledge of the extent and limits of the powers of the European Union, including central principles and the role of EU courts, the position, reception, and enforcement of EU law in the Member States, including central principles and the role of national and EU courts,
be able, orally and in writing, to identify, explain, analyze and evaluate EU law as it has developed in the case law of the European Court of Justice and to apply that knowledge and those abilities to concrete situations.

Form of instruction of Part II
The part includes some lectures but also many seminars where students in groups and together with a teacher discuss different topics of EU law. It is therefore necessary that students study assigned materials before each class, including cases, relevant EU legislation, textbook chapters and/or academic articles. Further instructions on the preparation requirements for each class will be provided to students at the beginning of and during the course.

A student who has been accepted and registered for the course has the right to teaching and guidance only during the term/academic year when he/she was accepted and registered.

Behörighetskrav

General requirements for university studies

Undervisningens upplägg

Teaching Methods
The teaching consists of lectures and seminars. The seminars will require the students to solve various theoretical and practical legal tasks and problems according to instructions given by respective teacher in conjunction with the lectures.  The students will be divided into small study units of 2 to 6 students. These working groups shall, together before the seminars, prepare and discuss their assignments and present their findings in class. Some of the seminars are  mandatory since they are to a large extent based on student activities before and during class; attendance at the lectures is optional isstrongly recommended. A student who has been accepted and registered for the course has the right to teaching and guidance only during the term/academic year when he/she was accepted and registered.

Teaching methods of part II
The part includes some lectures but also many seminars where students in groups and together with a teacher discuss different topics of EU law. It is therefore necessary that students study assigned materials before each class, including cases, relevant EU legislation and textbook chapters and/or academic articles. Further instructions on the preparation requirements for each class will be handed out to the student at the beginning of the course.
A student who has been accepted and registered for the course has the right to teaching and guidance only during the term/academic year when he/she was accepted and registered.

Examination

Examination takes place through fulfillment of two parts, partly the compulsory course elements specified in component 1 below, partly the written tests specified in component 2 below.

Component 1
Active participation during compulsory seminars.
Component 2
Fulfillment of two written tests (at the University).

Grades
A passing grade on the written tests and all compulsory course elements is required to receive a passing grade for the course as a whole. For component 1 the grades Fail (U) or Pass (G) can be awarded. On the written tests the grades awarded are Fail (U), Pass (G) and Pass with Distinction (VG).

On the entire course, the grades given are Fail (U), Pass (G) and Pass with Distinction (VG). The grade for the course as a whole is based on the combined result of the two written tests and awarded after the completion of all compulsory course elements.

The appointed examiner may decide to use other forms of examination if required by particular circumstances. A student who has not received a passing grade on a test will be afforded an opportunity for re-examination. A student who has passed examination may not be re-examined. A student who has taken two tests for a course or part of a course, without passing, has the right to have another examiner appointed, unless special reasons exist. A written request for change of examiner is submitted to the Director of Undergraduate Education.

Academic credit transfers
Students have the right to apply to have a previous education or experience evaluated for transfer of credits. For more information, see: www.umu.se/utbildning/antagning/tillgodoraknande