LEGAL TOPICS IN BUILDING-RELATED EDUCATION

Abstract

Higher education in the field of civil engineering and architecture is demanding and time-consuming. Besides subject related topics, most modern study programs also contain courses in other disciplines such as languages, ethics or law. Nevertheless, while elaborating a curriculum sometimes it is discussed controversially if the valuable study time should be spent with teaching law contents rather than use it for subject specific courses. The question is whether legal knowledge is required for civil engineers and architects to work professionally. The authors analyzed the professional competences and skills civil engineers and architects should have. They examined existing alumni reviews and carried out new surveys among participants of two conferences. The objective was to obtain more information about the worth of teaching law topics in civil engineering and architecture education as well as the need of legal knowledge in the professional life. The authors concluded that teaching legal topics is necessary and helpful for civil engineering and architecture graduates to work professionally. Most of the asked professionals agreed with that statement and desired additional law education in their professional life. However, the paper also shows differences between the two professional groups. Thus, more architects than civil engineers recommended teaching legal topics and were interested in continuing legal education.