JUR203 Legal Method II

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Bachelor's Programme in Law

Teaching language

Norwegian.

Recommended prerequisites

EX-100 Examen philosophicum, JUR100 Examen Facultatum and JUR101 Legal Method I.

Course contents

In Legal Method II the students study theory on how jurists argue professionally. The course will focus on different sources of law; how they serve as a primary legal basis, support for certain interpretations and as supportive arguments. The course will also focus on the basic principles of how to apply the legal sources (“rettskildeprinsipper”). The study of clarifying, restrictive, expansive and analogical interpretations of the law is central for this course. The use of decisions from international and/or supranational law courts like EUD, EFTA court and EHRC in legal argumentation will also be presented in this course.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

• clearly formulate legal problems based on arguments from national and international sources of law

• explain differences in the methodology of law across national borders, and give reasons of why this is so

• explain the legitimacy of the sources of law explain how sources of law are being used to establish legal norms

• explain what legal principles are, how they are established and their function in legal reasoning discuss and present legal problems in a reflected way

• critically reflect on the legal system¿s national and international character

Examination requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 75% participation in the mandatory work requirements. This includes participation in group work, writing and commenting on papers and participation in large groups/seminars. In addition, there will be a requirement of one approved written assignment. Students who fail to fulfill the mandatory work requirements cannot take the exam and will need to retake the course. Further information will be given in Canvas at the start of the semester.

Teaching methods

The teaching methods of this programme are based on the principles of problem-based learning and will include lectures, seminars and an extensive use of group work. In each course students will be divided into groups of about 10 people. Group work will include solving theoretical and practical issues related to the topics discussed in the course. There will be 3-6 written assignments for each course. For handing in and responding to written assignments the students use Canvas, UiA's learning management system.

Evaluation

The study programme manager, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.

Admission for external candidates

No

Assessment methods and criteria

4 hour written examination with letter grades.