Aims

This seminar has four objectives:
- to initiate personal analysis of certain aspects of commercial or economic law. The themes are determined each year taking into account recent developments and the interests of the students.
- to improve the ability of students to write a substantial paper (about 40 pages long), in which their ideas are clearly expressed and well structured.
- to encourage students to work in groups. In business, co-operation is essential but does not always proceed satisfactorily. It is important to go through that experience, evaluate it and attempt to improve interaction.
- to encourage students to write their paper in a foreign language. French speakers are encouraged to choose English, as that is the language increasingly being used in business. The use of another language, however, is not compulsory: papers may also be submitted in French.

Main themes

Students are requested to present their research orally. They must also submit a written paper taking into account the discussions that followed their oral presentation. Each student is assessed individually. The final grade is based on the work done throughout the year, participation in discussions, the oral presentation and the written paper.

Content and teaching methods

The seminar addresses various themes related to business law, with emphasis on European and international matters.
Phase 1.- Explanation of objectives and methods, the themes are proposed and the teams are formed.
Phase 2.- Students put together a bibliography and a table of contents, team meetings are held and problems are examined by all participants.
Phase 3.- The research and writing phase then starts, with meetings to examine problems as they emerge. A deadline is fixed for the submission of the written paper.
Phase 4.- The assignments are evaluated. The evaluation gives each student an opportunity to examine his/her own work in a critical manner and to evaluate the work performed as a team.