Introduction to Law

Code:

D120

Acronym:

ID

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Legal Sciences

Instance: 2022/2023 - A (since 12-09-2022 to 19-05-2023)

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Law

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LDB	291	Novo Plano Oficial do ano letivo 2016	1	-	12	150

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The aim of this course unit is to provide students with the basic frameworks and concepts of the legal system, with special focus on the Portuguese legal system.
Special relevance will be given to the understanding of Law as a dynamic system and to the specificities of legal reasoning, so major relevance is given to the methodological issues, as well as to the general theory of Law.

Learning outcomes and competences

Students are expected to identify the fundamental questions of Law as a legal order, system and science, as well as to understand the general framework of the legal system, namely, the notion, origin and protection of legal rules and the legal method, demonstrating ability to use these tools in solving cases.   

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Not relevant.

Program

I. Notion and meaning of Law

II. The organization of the legal system in law branches

III. Notion and types of legal rules

IV. The creation of legal rules by the State

V. The protection of Law and legal rights

VI. Origin and validity of legal rules

VII. The legal method

VIII. The effect of time on the validity and effectiveness of legal rules

IX. The legal system

Mandatory literature

Machado João Baptista; Introdução ao direito e ao discurso legitimador. ISBN: 972-40-0471-6
Ascensão José de Oliveira 1932-; O^direito. ISBN: 972-40-2443-1
Amaral Diogo Freitas do 1941-; Manual de introdução ao direito. ISBN: 972-40-2378-8
Bronze Fernando José 1947-; Lições de introdução ao direito. ISBN: 972-32-1378-8
António Santos Justo; Introdução ao estudo do direito. ISBN: 978-972-32-2371-2
Sousa Miguel Teixeira de 1954-; Introdução ao direito. ISBN: 978-972-40-4765-2

Complementary Bibliography

Canaris Claus-Wilhelm 1953-; Pensamento sistemático e conceito de sistema na ciência do direito. ISBN: 972-31-0295-1
Engisch Karl; Introdução ao pensamento jurídico. ISBN: 972-31-0192-0
Hespanha António Manuel 1945-; Cultura jurídica europeia. ISBN: 978-972-40-4810-9
Kaufmann Arthur 340; Introdução à filosofia do direito e à teoria do direito contemporâneas. ISBN: 972-31-0952-2
Larenz Karl 1903-; Metodologia da ciência do direito. ISBN: 972-31-0770-8
Neves António Castanheira 1929-; O^direito hoje e com que sentido. ISBN: 972-771-561-3
Javier Hervada; Qué es el derecho?. ISBN: 978-84-313-2541-1

Comments from the literature

Other bibliography may be recommended in classes.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical and practical classes. Theoretical classes will focus on the systematic presentation of the syllabus. Practical classes will focus on the topics previously presented in the theoretical lectures and consist mainly on the analysis and resolution of case studies. The participation of students in solving the case studies is strongly encouraged and is an essential element of these classes.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Teste	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	206,00
Frequência das aulas	130,00
Total:	336,00

Eligibility for exams

Not relevant.

Calculation formula of final grade

According to the Law School applicable regulations

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not relevant.

Internship work/project

Not relevant.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

According to the Law School applicable regulations

Classification improvement

According to the Law School applicable regulations