Scuola di Diritto
Syllabus
Academic Year 2013/14 Annual
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Learning Objectives
At the end of the course the student will be able:
to read texts from different legal sources at an intermediate / advanced level (B1/C1)
to acquire terminology associated with international communication in the legal profession
to write concise and coherent texts in dealing with legal correspondence
to discuss international legal issues
5. to acquire listening skills in order to participate effectively in meetings and consultations (B2/C1)
Learning targets
Consolidation of language structure and lexis in a professional legal context. Introduction to and practice in the various skills involved in achieving a pass at TOLES Foundation exam (B1) or Cambridge ILEC (B2/C1).
Course Content
1. The course will provide appropriate coverage of the following topics:
the legal profession in common law countries;
the language of contract law;
the language of tort law
the language of business law
notions of employment law
notions of land law in common law countries
notions of environmental law
2 - develop reading skills
understanding vocabulary in context
making logical deductions
interpreting varieties of meaning
identifying restatements
understanding use of English in legal language
3. - develop strategies for building writing skills:
writing correctly structured responses
writing short letters of advice, explanation
using appropriate register and terminology for legal correspondence
writing a memorandum discussing issues, recommending action, summarising (250 words) (B2/C1)
4 – develop strategies for building listening skills (B2/C1)
understanding natural speech
identifying topic and purpose
identifying attitude
5 – develop strategies for building speaking skills (B2 /C1)
responding to questions on career or legal matters
giving and exchanging information and opinions
participating in discussions of case studies
Course Delivery
The level of each student is determined by an Entry test at the beginning of year 1.The course will run under a modular format requiring active student involvement. Lower level students are expected to attend extra modules.
Students are required to prepare lessons in advance and integrate their studies with assigned work to maintain continuity. Individual studies should also include extensive reading and specific exam practice activities.
Students are responsible for attending classes with the required materials, some of which can be downloaded from the website of the course
Students may also have access to individual tutoring.
Course Evaluation
Students will be assessed internally at the end of each module. Second year tests will assess readiness for one of the compulsory international certificates(TOLES/ILEC).
A mock examination will give students access to enrolment in TOLES or ILEC examinations.
Syllabus
Session 0 Hours of lesson: 0 Instructor: | Topics:
First year. First semester. Lesson Topics: 1. Introduction to legal studies – revision present tense 2. Comparing Civil law and criminal law - comparatives 3. Crimes and criminology - vocabulary 4. The Legal Profession - vocabulary 5. Inside the Courtroom- present continuous 6. Import/ Export regulations - modal verbs 7. Comparing Civil law and Common Law – reading skills 8. Judicial systems around the world – comparative/ superlative First Year. Second Semester. Lesson Topics: 1. Legal language – use of prepositions, archaic forms 2. Roman civil law v. Civil Law. 3. Judicial precedence, part 1 4. Judicial precedence, part 2 – a case study 5. The Carbolic Smoke ball case 6. Tort law – the duty of care 7. Elements of a contract, part 1 8. Contract law, part 2. E-contracts 9. A contract law case 10. Warranties and Conditions in a contract 11. Intellectual Property law
SECOND YEAR, FIRST AND SECOND SEMESTER Topics: MODULE 1: Working in Law – reading skills Making a claim in the civil court MODULE 2: Legal language, part 1 – learning collocations Legal language, part 2 – learning prepositions MODULE 3: Letter writing – register, style The language of banking and tax law MODULE 4: The structure of a contract Contract law, part 1 – consideration Starting a claim for breach of contract Understanding technical contract terms MODULE 5: Employment law, part 1 – acting for an employee Employment law, part 2 – acting for an employer ADR MODULE 6: Types of tort Tortious liability MODULE 7: Business law Areas of Company law Corporate Governance Insolvency MODULE 8: Real estate law Listening/ speaking skills MODULE 9: International law Comparing different legal systems Presentation/ discussion skills MODULE 10: Exam practice – TOLES or ILEC Readings: |