Universität Wien

030594 KU International Legal English I (2018S)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 3 - Rechtswissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 30 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 14.03. 15:15 - 17:15 Seminarraum SEM34 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, 3.OG
  • Wednesday 21.03. 15:15 - 17:15 Seminarraum SEM34 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, 3.OG
  • Wednesday 11.04. 15:15 - 17:15 Seminarraum SEM34 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, 3.OG
  • Wednesday 18.04. 15:15 - 17:15 Seminarraum SEM34 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, 3.OG
  • Wednesday 25.04. 15:15 - 17:15 Seminarraum SEM34 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, 3.OG
  • Wednesday 09.05. 15:15 - 17:15 Seminarraum SEM34 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, 3.OG
  • Wednesday 16.05. 15:15 - 17:15 Seminarraum SEM34 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, 3.OG
  • Wednesday 23.05. 15:15 - 17:15 Seminarraum SEM34 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, 3.OG
  • Wednesday 06.06. 15:15 - 17:15 Seminarraum SEM34 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, 3.OG

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The course is intended as a preparation for legal work using the English language, with a special emphasis on corporate law. The course helps develop competence and confidence in working in English by improving skills in the four language areas,: reading, writing, speaking and listening (Level C1).
Students will improve their ability to read and understand legal texts as well as their ability to write common legal texts, especially letters and memoranda. Students will improve their listening skills and strengthen their speaking skills.
The aim is to help students become familiar with legal English so that they are able to express themselves on a range of legal matters using accurate legal terminology, e.g., when working with foreign colleagues and clients. The course is designed to prepare students whose first language is not English to function efficiently, in terms of language ability, in the international legal environment.
The teaching adopts a highly participatory format, encouraging students to take part in discussion. A variety of modern and interactive teaching tools are employed to make the learning attractive and effective. The focus lies on practical applications of the authentic language of the law and improvement of students´ productive skills, achieved by engaging in conversations on legal matters and role plays. The tasks are based on realistic tasks of the kind legal practitioners would expect to encounter in their daily working lives. Although teaching underlying knowledge is a component of the course, the course is primarily a language course with a strong focus on linguistic proficiency and knowledge.

Assessment and permitted materials

At the conclusion, there is a written test consisting of “Readingˮ (60 minutes) and “Listeningˮ (20 minutes). Reading involves the following tasks: gap-filling, multiple choice, word formation, and matching. Listening involves gap-filling and multiple-choice questions.
The focus lies on testing grammatical and lexical knowledge and semantic precision and not knowledge of the law.
The use of dictionaries is not permitted during the test.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Examination topics

International Legal English I.
The practice of law
Sole proprietorship and partnership
Core characteristics of company law
Organising a company
Directors and shareholders
Fundamental changes in corporate structure
Dissolution
Debtor-creditor

International Legal English II.
Formation of a contract
Validity of a contract
Terms of a contract
Breach of contract
Discharge of a contract
Sale of goods
Employment law
Real property law
Intellectual property

Reading list

Sylvia Kummer: The Language of Company and Contract, BoD, 2nd edition, 2017

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Fr 06.05.2022 00:15