Introduction to Jurisprudence 2200-1P001
“Introduction to Jurisprudence” is an introductory course designed to familiarize students with legal studies. Its aim is to provide students with fundamental knowledge about law as a social, cultural, and institutional phenomenon, as well as to prepare them for further legal education. The course introduces the basic concepts, structures, and methods characteristic of legal scholarship, with particular emphasis on legal theory.
The course covers issues related to the creation, validity, interpretation, application, and observance of law. It also addresses the sources of law, the legal system, legal and juridical language, the relationship between domestic and European law, as well as the connections between law, the state, morality, and other systems of social norms. An important component of the course is an introduction to the basic problems of legal philosophy and legal methodology.
The course content has been designed to reflect the contemporary challenges faced by lawyers operating in increasingly complex social and digital environments. Particular attention is devoted to current developments in law and legal practice, including the growing importance of legal interpretation, the coexistence of multiple legal orders, the development of alternative dispute resolution methods, and the role of ethical standards in legal professions.
The lecture component presents the fundamental issues of general legal knowledge and situates legal studies within the broader context of the social sciences and humanities. It introduces key concepts of legal and legal-professional language, basic legal institutions, and the principal mechanisms through which law operates in society.
The classes/tutorials have a practical and workshop-oriented character and are devoted to developing skills in the analysis of legal texts and the use of basic legal concepts and constructions. Students work with statutory texts, case law, and selected scholarly materials. They learn how to independently read and interpret legal provisions, identify elements of legal norms, distinguish between different types of provisions, and apply basic rules of legal interpretation.
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Term 2026Z:
“Introduction to Jurisprudence” is an introductory course designed to familiarize students with legal studies. Its aim is to provide students with fundamental knowledge about law as a social, cultural, and institutional phenomenon, as well as to prepare them for further legal education. The course introduces the basic concepts, structures, and methods characteristic of legal scholarship, with particular emphasis on legal theory. The course covers issues related to the creation, validity, interpretation, application, and observance of law. It also addresses the sources of law, the legal system, legal and juridical language, the relationship between domestic and European law, as well as the connections between law, the state, morality, and other systems of social norms. An important component of the course is an introduction to the basic problems of legal philosophy and legal methodology. The course content has been designed to reflect the contemporary challenges faced by lawyers operating in increasingly complex social and digital environments. Particular attention is devoted to current developments in law and legal practice, including the growing importance of legal interpretation, the coexistence of multiple legal orders, the development of alternative dispute resolution methods, and the role of ethical standards in legal professions. The lecture component presents the fundamental issues of general legal knowledge and situates legal studies within the broader context of the social sciences and humanities. It introduces key concepts of legal and legal-professional language, basic legal institutions, and the principal mechanisms through which law operates in society. The classes/tutorials have a practical and workshop-oriented character and are devoted to developing skills in the analysis of legal texts and the use of basic legal concepts and constructions. Students work with statutory texts, case law, and selected scholarly materials. They learn how to independently read and interpret legal provisions, identify elements of legal norms, distinguish between different types of provisions, and apply basic rules of legal interpretation. |
Course coordinators
Term 2026Z: | Term 2025Z: |
Type of course
Mode
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
The student:
– knows the basic concepts and institutions of jurisprudence, legal theory, and philosophy of law
– understands the role of law as a system of social norms and is familiar with the relationships between law, the state, morality, and other normative systems
– knows the basic characteristics of legal language and legal discourse, as well as the structure of legal norms and legal provisions
– knows the principles governing the creation, validity, application, and interpretation of law
– understands the structure of the legal system and the basic characteristics of sources of domestic, European, and international law
– knows the basic models of legal reasoning and argumentation used in legal practice
– understands the basic problems related to the functioning of law in contemporary society, including in the digital environment and within a multi-level legal order
Skills
The student:
– is able to use basic legal terminology
– is able to read and analyse normative acts and identify different types of legal provisions
– is able to reconstruct legal norms from legal provisions
– is able to apply basic rules of legal interpretation and identify interpretative problems
– is able to use basic methods of legal reasoning and argumentation
– is able to analyse simple factual situations using basic legal concepts and constructions
– is able to use case law and basic sources of legal information
Social competences
The student:
– understands the importance of law for the functioning of the state and society
– recognizes the importance of ethical standards in legal professions
– is prepared for further legal education and for developing competences necessary in professional legal practice
– understands the need for critical analysis of legal arguments and for the responsible use of law
Assessment criteria
The course concludes with a written examination in the form of a multiple-choice test assessing the acquired theoretical knowledge. Students who obtain a grade of good plus (4+) or higher in the classes/tutorials may take an oral examination in the pre-term examination session.
Attendance at lectures is not compulsory.
Attendance at classes/tutorials is monitored. The number of absences affects the completion of the course. Instructors continuously assess students’ knowledge and level of preparation for classes and conduct at least one mid-term test.
An additional requirement for completing the classes/tutorials is the completion of supplementary assignments in a form specified by the instructors.
Bibliography
Mandatory reading:
T. Chauvin, T. Stawecki, P. Winczorek, Wstęp do prawoznawstwa, najnowsze wydanie
Supplementary readings:
K. Kaleta, A. Kotowski, Podstawy prawoznawstwa, Warszawa 2024 (ed. 3);
S. Wronkowska, P. F. Zwierzykowski, M. Krotoszyński, Wprowadzenie do prawoznawstwa, Wydawnictwo Naukowe UAM, Poznań 2025.
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Term 2026Z:
Mandatory reading: Supplementary readings: |