Introduction to Swedish Law, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The objective is to give the students a general overview of the Swedish legal system, with emphasis on the sources of law and legal methods. A few areas of substantive law will also be presented, mainly as examples of the construction of both private and public law. 

Learning will focus on the sources of law and the legal method used by judges, lawyers and other legal professions. It will include a brief presentation of constitutional law, the machinery of government, the court system, the administrative and civil procedural law, the public access to official documents and finally the impact of EU law on the Swedish legal system.  The substantive law part will cover some areas such as property law, contract and commercial law, labour law and mainly economic family law.

All aspects of this course, including the examination, are conducted in English.

Expected learning outcomes

After completing the course the student shall:

be familiar with basic central parts of the Swedish administrative and judicial system and procedure
have knowledge of some substantive legal areas and the legal methods to solve problems in these areas
be able to identify, explain and analyse elementary legal rules concerning the mentioned legal areas
be able to apply that knowledge and those abilities to concrete ordinary situations

Required Knowledge

Form of instruction

The teaching consists of lectures and seminars. The seminars will require the students to solve various theoretical and practical legal tasks and problems according to instructions given by seminar's instructor in conjunction with the lectures.  The students will be divided into small study units of 2 to 6 students. These working groups shall together before the seminars prepare and discuss their assignments and present their findings in class.  Some of the seminars are mandatory since they are to a large extent based on student activities before and during class. The obligatory assignments are indicated in the schedule. Attendance at the lectures is optional but strongly recommended.  A student who has been accepted and registered for the course has the right to teaching and guidance only during the term/academic year when he/she was accepted and registered.

Examination modes

Examination takes place through fulfillment of two parts, partly the compulsory course elements specified in component 1 below, partly writing a final test specified in component 2 below.

Component 1
Active participation during compulsory seminars.

Component 2
Fulfillment of an individual, written test (at the University) at the end of the course.

Grades
A passing grade on the written test and all compulsory course elements is required to receive a passing grade for the course as a whole. For component 1 the grades Fail (U) or Pass (G) can be awarded. On the written test the grades awarded are Fail (U), Pass (G) and Pass with distinction (VG).

On the entire course, the grades given are Fail (U), Pass (G) and Pass with Distinction (VG). The grade for the course as a whole is based on the result of the written test and awarded after the completion of all compulsory course elements.

The appointed examiner may decide to use other forms of examination if required by particular circumstances. A student who has not received a passing grade on a test will be afforded an opportunity for re-examination. A student who has passed examination may not be re-examined. A student who has taken two tests for a course or segment of a course, without passing, has the right to have another examiner appointed, unless special reasons exist. A written request for change of examiner is submitted to the Director of Undergraduate Education.

Students who have participated in but failed a test, including essays, seminars, written and oral assignments et cetera, but not including the final written, take home or oral test of the course, have the right to do a make-up assignment in order to reach the grade Pass (but not higher grades). The student may still achieve a higher grade than Pass on the course overall, if all requirements for the grade in question are fulfilled. The make-up assignment must be completed no later than two months after the student learned of the failed grade and using the same form of examination.

Academic credit transfer
Students have the right to apply to have a previous education or experience evaluated for transfer of credits. For more information, see: www.umu.se/utbildning/antagning/tillgodoraknande