Abstract:

There are several reasons why a group of teachers in Law and Economics of the Social Sciences Faculty of Cuenca are carrying out an interdisciplinary experience with the students. Among others: the necessary adjustment of the Spanish Universitary system to the European Space for Higher Education (ESHE), the characteristics of the Social Sciences Faculty of Cuenca, place where this innovative experience is realized, and the interest of teachers for improving their pedagogic skills. All these reasons have resulted in a flexible, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary teaching system. This system combines problem-based learning and a portfolio system. This allows students to choose the aspects of the matter of study closer to their profile.

The subjects involved in this experience are, in one hand, Analysis of investment bank and stock exchange operations and Introduction to Criminal law applied to corporations (two subjects of Business Studies Degree, optional and discretionary credits subjects respectively), and in the other hand, Commercial law I, Criminal law in economic matters, and Civil law III, subjects of Law Degree, being four the teachers who participate in the project.

The flexibility of the system is based on the fact that it permits the approach of a case in an interdisciplinary way within a structured framework. In addition, every student will view this case from different perspective (for example: plaintiff, defendants, auditors, etc.), and every team is integrated by students of Law and Business Studies. The experience is organized in this way:
a) Delivery of documental and bibliographic information to students and watching a film.
b) A brief introductory lecture by the teachers.
c) Tutorial sessions by the teachers in order to monitor the work of the students.
d) A recorded trial simulation.
For the evaluation of the students two aspects are taken in to account: general and specific skills. Regarding general skills, the evaluation of the student is carried out by the four teachers in an evaluation session. Regarding the specific skills, evaluation criteria are specified in every teacher´s guide.

Keywords:

european space for higher education, problem-based learning, portfolio.