General provisions

Determined on October 15, 2014 by Faculty of Law’s Teaching Committee, Uppsala University, by virtue of Chapter 6 Section 14 and 15 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The course plan enters into force on January 1, 2015.

General

The course is 15 university points (15 ECTS credits) and optional course at advanced level in the studies for the degree of Master of Laws, according to the degree requirements adopted 16 April 2007 by the Board of the Faculty of Law of Uppsala University. The course is held in English.

Entry requirements

In general, Swedish students must have attained five passes out of the six courses given at basic level of the LLM programme. All the obligatory phases of the course in which the student has not attained a pass must have been fulfilled.

Foreign students should have completed at least two years of university studies in the field of law. At least one year of studies shall be in the field of private law.

If special reasons exist the board of exemption may grant exemption from the acceptance requirements.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course the students shall have the ability

• to analyse how households’ and firms’ supply and demand of products and services are affected by changes in market conditions, such as changes in legal rules,
• to explain the content and consequences of different economic definitions of efficiency,
• to explain the basic theories of law and economic concerning prominent private law topics such as ownership, contract, tort and company law,
• to analyse in a qualified way private law problems from a law and economics perspective.

Criteria for grades

The grades that are awarded for the course are fail, U, and the grades B, Ba and AB. The grades are based on an assessment of the students’ skills during seminars and the written exam to (1) identify law and economics problems, to (2) analyse and suggest solutions to law and economics problems based on relevant economic theories, and to present (3) a written memo and to make (4) an oral presentation.

Skills in identify law and economics problems

Grading criteria

AB: Very good identification of problems.

Ba: Good identification of problems.

B: Acceptable identification of problems.

U: Lacking in identification of problems.

Skills in analysing and suggesting solutions to law and economics problems based on relevant economic theories

Grading criteria

AB: Very good at analysing legal problems on the basis of relevant economic theories, with independent analysis of economic pros and cons in different legal fields.

Ba: Reviewing type of use of relevant economic theories with understanding of the economic effects of the legal rules.

B: Reviewing type of use of economic theory.

U: Deficient or irrelevant use of economic theory.

Grading criteria - memorandums

AB: The content is focused on the subject and it is analytic in its style on the basis of appropriate economic and legal sources. Language, structure, references and the formal presentation is of very high quality.

Ba: The content is focused on the subject and it is mainly analytic in its style. Language, structure, references and the formal presentation is of good quality.

B: The content is relevant for the topic, but it is mainly of a review type. Language, structure, references and the formal presentation is of an acceptable quality.

U: The content is not acceptable with regard to analysis, language, structure, references and the formal presentation.

Grading criteria – oral presentations

AB: The content is based on a considered pedagogy and the presentation is predominantely analytic. Presentation technique, aids and structure are of very high quality.

Ba: The content is relevant for the topic and the presentation is mainly analytic. Presentation technique and structure are of a good quality.

B: The content is relevant, but the presentation is mainly of a review type. The presentation technique and structure is of acceptable quality.

U: The presentation is not acceptable quality considering the content, presentation technique or structure.

Content

The course is in the field of law and economics. In this course private law rules are described and analysed by use of economic concepts and theories.

Instruction

Teaching is in the form of seminars. One series of seminars provides an introduction to the field of micro economy. This section of the course concludes with a written exam. A follow-on series of seminars is concerned with fundamental issues in law and economics such as the relationship between reasoning in law and reasoning in economics, as well as the relationship between economic efficiency and values. A third series of seminars are held by invited experts who discuss how economic analysis has been used in their legal field. A fourth and final series of seminars entail the presentation and discussion of student essays. A detailed description of the teaching is available in the enclosed teaching plan.

The teaching is based on the course literature set out in the enclosed listed.

It is obligatory for students to participate in 80 percent of the seminars. The course director is able to grant permission to derogate from the requirement of obligatory presence in seminars.

Assessment

The examination consists of written exam after the introduction in micro economy; writing and presenting of student essay; evaluation of oral participation in class. To pass the course it is necessary to complete all obligatory parts of the course. Grades are awarded on the basis of the results in the exam on micro economy and on the basis of the individual student essays and oral participation in seminars. In the written exam on micro economy the course literature is a permitted aid. In special situations the examination may be in a different form, e.g. an oral examination. For students who fail opportunities for re-examination are provided.

Where cheating during an examination, e.g. the use of books or notes not specifically part of the course, is proved, disciplinary measures will be taken in accordance with University rules.

Essays must be the individual work of the student. Where plagiarism in the writing of essays is proved, disciplinary measures will be taken in accordance with University rules.

The grades given are Fail (U), and the passing grades Pass (B), Pass with credit (Ba) and Pass with distinction (AB).