Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

This module allows individual students to explore a self-chosen topic in private law in greater depth and prepare an academic paper in English. The topic chosen must be of an international and/or comparative legal nature and agreed upon by the course leader.

All topics within the realm of private law are welcome provided they are of an international and/or comparative nature. For example, a paper could focus on comparing the contract law consequences of the delivery of a faulty product in two or more jurisdictions; on the implications of a choice of court agreement in an insurance contract involving a consumer from one jurisdiction suffering harm in another; or the liability of a company who pollutes a river in one country, resulting in the death of a fish in a fish farm in another.

Writing a paper for this course not only would allow students to improve their English language writing skills and prepare them for the competitive national and international legal market, but it would also provide valuable practice for writing a master’s thesis. Students will be provided with a designated supervisor throughout the project period.

Learning objectives

Knowledge

After finalisation of the module students have required the necessary knowledge on:

• a relevant and contemporary problem within international or comparative private law.
• how to apply relevant legal methods to analyse the chosen problem theoretically and practically.
• how to plan, execute, and manage a process that results in a written project. 

Skills

The objectives are that students after the module have required the necessary skills in:

• framing and analysing a relevant and contemporary problem within international or comparative private law.
• applying relevant theories and methods in addressing the problem examined.

Competences

The objectives are students after the module have required the necessary competences in:

• accessing relevant and contemporary international or comparative private law literature in a structured way.
• presenting and discussing literature in accordance with the relevant scientific principles.
• applying relevant knowledge, theories, and skills in international or comparative private law to be able to analyse, conceptualize and discuss the issues addressed in the project, and engage in an academic discussion.

Type of instruction

Guidance only.

Extent and expected workload

• 270 hours.

Exam

Exams