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First term
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Prerequisites
Taught by
Identical coursesRoman Law: Reader (B-KUL-B0B79A)
English
Second term
Cannot be taken as part of an examination contractAims
Learning Objectives
Roman legal thinking is, along with Judeo-Christian theology, Greek scientific logic and Arab mathematics, one of the main components of Western academic thought. As of the twelfth century, this ancient Roman way of thinking was studied at the newly founded universities. In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, Roman law - together with canon law - constituted the core of the 'ius commune', the typical European legal mindset. Centuries later, it has not lost its relevance. This course aims to clarify how opinions and beliefs with respect to the structure of a society, freedom, sustainable conflict resolution, inheritances, property management, individual relationships and liability, legal personality and special contracts evolved from Antiquity to the modern times. Special attention will be paid to how the Roman legal sources have played a decisive part in the history of legal thought.
The study of Roman law and its interpretation in the Middle Ages and the early modern times leads to the development of a historical consciousness, to a better understanding of our legal tradition and to a deeper knowledge of the common origins of European legal thought. The course also offers an introduction to some basic legal concepts. The course offers a broad introduction to a wide variety of legal topics and questions: the course aims at the acquisition of basic knowledge and is not specialistic.
Previous knowledge
There are no specific prerequisites. Knowledge of Latin or Greek is not required.
Is included in these courses of study
Activities
6 ects. Roman Law: Reader (B-KUL-B0B79a)
Content
The course focuses on the Roman legal system, on the law of persons, on the law of property and inheritance, on the law of obligations, and on the evolution of Roman law into the modern world. The course is not specialized, but of an introductory nature.
Course material
The compulsory material is: Paul J. du Plessis, Borkowski's Textbook on Roman Law. Sixth Edition, Oxford University Press, 2020, 440 p., with online resources.
On the Toledo-platform, other materials can be found that are meant to facilitate the study of the book.
Format: more information
Study at home of the textbook: Paul J. du Plessis, Borkowski's Textbook on Roman Law, 6th edition, Oxford University Press, 2020, 440 p., with online resources. There will be no lectures for this course.
On Toledo, students will find some additional material.
During the intensive lesson weeks, a Q&A session will be organized. At the end of the semester, an online session will also be organized in which a draft examination will be discussed and where there will also be room for Q&A.
Evaluation
Evaluation: Roman Law: Reader (B-KUL-B2B79a)
Explanation
Exam
The aim of the exam is to evaluate whether the student acquired a sufficient insight in the historical foundations of European legal history, and especially of Roman law and its reception. The exam consists of open questions, and assesses the student's ability to summarize a more general topic, his/her insight and reasoning capacity, as well as his/her juridical precision, knowledge of chronology and historical awareness. The exam is written (3 hours).
Information about retaking exams
The aim of the exam is to evaluate whether the student acquired a sufficient insight in the historical foundations of European legal history, and especially of Roman law and its reception. The exam consists of open questions, and assesses the student's ability to summarize a more general topic, his/her insight and reasoning capacity, as well as his/her juridical precision, knowledge of chronology and historical awareness. The exam is written (3 hours).