Critical Thinking and Legal Interpretation

Singapore University of Social Sciences

Critical Thinking and Legal Interpretation (LAW201)

Synopsis

LAW201 Critical Thinking and Legal Interpretation introduces students to the critical thinking, the use of active thinking and reading, and also the art of legal interpretation. Students will be instructed in how to read and apply a critical mind towards what they read, how to analyse arguments and how to respond to arguments. Students will also be introduced to legal interpretation and how legal interpretation works in the context of statutes and also in the context of legal contracts. Students will be introduced maxims of interpretation as well as to the tools of interpretations that are available, e.g. Stroud’s or Black’s Judicial Dictionary, Mallal’s Digest etc

Level: 2
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: EVERY JAN

Topics

Introduction to the Study of Law and the Singapore Legal System
Introduction to Critical Thinking
Logical concepts
Logical fallacies
Analysing and responding to arguments
Legal interpretation
Principles of legal interpretation
Interpreting statutes – 1 General rules
Interpreting statutes – 2 Specific rules
Interpreting contracts – 1 General rules
Interpreting contracts – 2 Specific rules
Introduction to drafting of documents

Learning Outcome

Explain the sources of law, and how it is made and developed; of the institutions within which that law is administered and the personnel who practice law
Express their knowledge and understanding of a wide range of key thinking concepts, values, principles and rules of the thinking and logic and to explain the relationship between them in a number of subject areas
Demonstrate the ability to construct and deconstruct legal arguments.
Respond to a given document form and apply the right rules of interpretation to the document
Research and analyse independently the areas of law from standard legal resources on specific matters
Advise a hypothetical client, using intellectual and practical skills to apply the knowledge, thought and findings of research to provide arguable conclusions for concrete problems
Discuss positions taken in a group setting and in a team environment
Express ideas, concepts and arguments in the English language and legal terminology with care and accuracy
Employ information technology in an office environment for the search for information, the preparation of documents and presentations