English for Contract & IP 3600-OG-ENGCONIP

https://moodle.umk.pl/course/view.php?id=7127

The English for Contract & IP course is designed to provide students from diverse academic backgrounds with a comprehensive understanding of legal English, particularly in the fields of contract law and intellectual property (IP) law. This course is suitable for students pursuing careers in law, business, science, technology, and innovation management, equipping them with the specialized language and legal knowledge necessary to engage with IP-related contracts and disputes effectively.

In today’s globalized and innovation-driven economy, intellectual property rights play a crucial role in protecting inventions, creative works, and brand identities. Effective communication in legal English is essential for professionals involved in drafting contracts, negotiating agreements, and resolving disputes related to IP rights. This course will provide students with the skills to navigate the complexities of IP law, understand key contractual provisions, and engage in critical discussions on landmark legal cases.

By the end of the course, students will have developed the ability to analyze and interpret legal documents, participate in contract negotiations, and understand the mechanisms of defending IP rights in both litigation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) settings.

Term 2024/25L:

The English for Contract & IP course is designed for students from all fields of study to learn, develop and apply their legal English skills in the context of contract and IP law. The content of the course is also tailored to develop skills and knowledge expected from prospective lawyers as well as future scientists, managers and technology transfer executives. The aim of the course is to familiarize students with basic types of IP rights and essential protection of these rights in IP contracts. Students will have the opportunity to discuss landmark IP cases, analyse standard contractual clauses, negotiate an IP contract, and defend IP right in court or out-of-court proceedings (ADR).

Total student workload

Contact Hours: 30 hours per semester (2 hours per week of in-class teaching). Independent Study: 15 hours per semester (self-study, case analysis, contract drafting, and preparation for discussions).

Learning outcomes - knowledge

By the end of the course, students should: - Understand the fundamental types of intellectual property (IP) rights and their protection mechanisms. - Be familiar with standard contractual clauses used in IP agreements. - Recognize and critically assess landmark IP cases and their implications. - Comprehend legal language ("legalese") used in contracts and IP-related documents.

Learning outcomes - skills

By the end of the course, students should be able to: - Analyse and interpret legal documents, including contracts and case law. - Negotiate IP contracts effectively, applying legal English terminology appropriately. - Draft an IP case brief with structured legal reasoning. - Participate in mediation or litigation by formulating legal arguments and defending IP rights.

Learning outcomes - social competencies

By the end of the course, students should demonstrate: - The ability to think critically and engage in legal discussions on IP rights. - Effective communication and negotiation skills in professional legal settings. - The capacity to work collaboratively in legal and business environments, such as contract negotiations or dispute resolution. - Ethical awareness in handling IP rights and legal matters, considering diverse stakeholder perspectives.

Teaching methods

This course employs a combination of expository, exploratory, and online teaching methods. Digital resources support learning through content-presentation-oriented methods, such as legal document analysis. Interactive elements, including cooperation-based methods, facilitate online discussions, and contract negotiation exercises.

Expository teaching methods

- discussion
- problem-based lecture
- description
- participatory lecture
- informative (conventional) lecture

Exploratory teaching methods

- case study

Online teaching methods

- exchange and discussion methods
- content-presentation-oriented methods
- cooperation-based methods

Prerequisites

The English for Contract & IP course is designed for students from all fields of study to learn, develop and apply their legal English skills in the context of contract and IP law. 1. Language Proficiency Intermediate to advanced English proficiency (B2 or higher according to the CEFR). 2. General Legal Awareness (Recommended but not mandatory) 3. Analytical and Critical Thinking Skills Ability to engage in logical reasoning and structured argumentation. Willingness to analyze real-world legal cases and contractual clauses. 4. Communication and Collaboration Skills Willingness to participate in discussions, negotiations, and role-playing exercises.

Course coordinators

Term 2023/24L:

Ewa Kowalska
Agnieszka Pawlikowska

Term 2024/25L:

Ewa Kowalska
Agnieszka Pawlikowska

Term 2022/23L:

Ewa Kowalska

Assessment criteria

To successfully complete the course and receive credit, students must meet the following requirements:

Attendance – Students are required to attend at least 80% of scheduled classes to ensure active participation in discussions, case studies, and interactive exercises.

Moodle Activities – Students must complete at least 80% of assigned online activities on Moodle, including quizzes, discussion posts, contract analysis tasks, and other coursework designed to reinforce in-class learning.

Speaking and Discussion – Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions, express their opinions on key intellectual property (IP) topics, and demonstrate their ability to engage in legal debates and contract negotiations.

Text Summary and Opinion – Each student must summarize at least one text related to IP law and provide a well-structured opinion, demonstrating their ability to critically analyze legal issues and articulate their viewpoints effectively.

Grading Scale

Final grades will be assigned based on the following percentage scale:

60 – 67% = 3.0 (Satisfactory)
68 – 75% = 3.5 (Satisfactory Plus)
76 – 83% = 4.0 (Good)
84 – 91% = 4.5 (Good Plus)
92 – 100% = 5.0 (Very Good)

Active participation, thorough preparation, and engagement with course materials will be key to achieving a high final grade.

Bibliography

Canham N., Mason K., Advanced Legal English, Global Legal English Ltd. 2018
Krois-Lindner A., International Legal English, CUP 2006
Mason C., The Vocabulary of Commercial Contracts, Global Legal English Ltd. 2012
Mason C., Atkins R., The Lawyers English Language Coursebook, Global Legal English Ltd., 2011

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 3600-OG-ENGCONIP in USOSweb