Comparative law

This course is a general survey of comparative law for law students and students enrolled in programs where law is a substantial component. It can also be of interest to business and economics students majoring in international business. Although there are no formal prerequisites for this course, students are expected to have at least basic knowledge of their domestic legal systems and be able to do independent legal research on Internet or in the library. The course will start with a general introduction to comparative law and comparative legal method. Then we will move to a broad overview of major legal systems followed by analysis of so-called ‘legal transplants.’ Then we will analyze principal branches of law (constitutional law, law ofcontracts and torts, criminal law and family law) in comparative context. Students are expected to come prepared to class and partake in the class discussion. Comparative nature of this course will allow students coming from various jurisdictions to contribute to this course by sharing knowledge of their own legal systems with the rest of the class. You will be expected to form teams composed of students coming from various jurisdictions and prepare an essay – a comparative analysis of a legal institution. Final part of your assessment will be individual report or a memo on student’s domestic legal system for a foreign attorney who seeks your advice.