Course Overview

INTRODUCTION TO LAW (THREE-YEAR LLB) (LAWS 1014)

This course lays the foundation for a student’s LLB degree by introducing students to the South African legal system. Students will engage actively with the material (as set out in the prescribed textbook and on Ulwazi) to acquire a proper knowledge and understanding of the legal system as a whole.

Three major themes will be covered in this course: the classification and sources of South African law, the history of South African law, and the processes and practices of South African law.

 

Course Learning Outcomes or Objectives

It is important to note that the study of law requires far more than mere rote learning of the content of South African law and its practice. Rather, it requires one to think legally and critically when working with the law. This is an advanced skill that students will begin to cultivate in this course.

By the end of this course therefore, students must be able to:

  1. Research the law generally by using the library and electronic resources.
  2. Source, read, summarise and analyse cases (judgments of the courts).
  3. Source, read and interpret legislation (laws written by law-making bodies such as Parliament).
  4. Illustrate their knowledge of the applicable laws by applying it to solve legal problems.
  5. Argue logically and coherently, ie students must be able to write a well-structured and carefully reasoned argument in clear and understandable language.