An experience teaching legal ethicas in a civil law country

What is it about?

Concern about student’s ethical education has been present at the Catholic University of Temuco Law School since it was founded, but a specific mandatory course was introduced after ten years. The paper reflects on the experience with this particular course, taught in a country from the civil law tradition, comparing it with reflections and experiences from other jurisdictions, from the common law tradition. The course contributes to develop an ethical behaviour competence, using an interactive methodological approach. This particular course is taught in an interdisciplinary way, by two professors from different schools, which makes it unique. Along the course, students are required to learn some basic concepts and to know the main contemporary ethical schools of thoughts; to reflect over globalisation and the world they will face practicing law; to know the ethical regulations that already exist, and propose some new rules. During the semester students must do readings and set up and resolve ethical dilemmas, using the see-judge-act methodology. The final goal is to develop student’s ethical conscience, building the capacity to discern ethical dilemmas and support their decisions, so they would become autonomous professionals.

Featured Image