Main Field of Study and progress level:
Law: First cycle, has only upper-secondary level entry requirements
Grading scale: Three-grade scale
Responsible department: Department of Law
Contents
The course introduces law by way of comparing different legal systems. The course is divided into three parts. The first part of the course provides an introduction to the field of comparative law as such and some of the dominant legal systems of the world (e.g. continental European civil law, common law, Chinese, East Asian Law, and Islamic Law). The selection of systems will vary between years. The second part introduces and compares various legal and institutional concepts (e.g. law, legal sources, and courts) and how they have developed in various legal systems. The third and final part involves comparing specific substantive and procedural topics (e.g. contracts, sales, family law, and criminal procedural law).
Expected learning outcomes
After completing the course the students shall: - exhibit a basic knowledge of the principal legal systems of the world, their origins, historical development and current interaction, and the supporting institutional framework, and - demonstrate an ability to apply comparative legal methods.
Required Knowledge
General qualifications for university studies.
Form of instruction
The teaching will consist of both lectures and seminars. Part¬icipating students are required to carefully study all distributed texts and cases before each seminar. Further instructions on the requirements for each seminar will be handed out as the course proceeds. All teaching and literature will be in the English language. A student who has been accepted and registered for the course has the right to teaching and guidance only during the term/academic year when he/she was accepted and registered.
Examination modes
Examination on the course consists of a paper and compulsory course elements as marked in the schedule. Grades will be awarded on the basis of performance in writing, presenting, and defending a paper prepared by the student. Grades given for compulsory course elements are Fail (U) or Pass (G). Grades given for the paper are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). Grades given for the course as a whole are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). The examining teacher has the right to decide on another form of examination. When a student has failed an examination on two occasions, he or she has a right to have another grading teacher. A written request should be handed in to the director of undergraduate studies.
Transfers Students have the right to apply to have a previous education or experience evaluated for transfer of credits. For more information, see:
Bogdan Michael Concise introduction to comparative law Groningen : Europa Law Publishing : 2013 : xiii, 202 s. : ISBN: 9789089521255 Mandatory Search the University Library catalogue
Additional readings will be posted at the course website in PDF-format
Reference works
De Cruz Peter Comparative law in a changing world 3. ed. : London : Routledge-Cavendish : 2007 : xi, 532 s. : ISBN: 1-85941-936-4 Search the University Library catalogue
Glenn H. Patrick Legal traditions of the world : sustainable diversity in law 4. ed. : Oxford : Oxford University Press : 2010 : xxviii, 418 s. : ISBN: 978-0-19-958080-4 (pbk.) Search the University Library catalogue
Head Great Legal Traditions: Civil Law, Common Law, and Chinese Law in Historical and Operational Perspective Carolina Academic Press : 2011 :
Reimann & Zimmermann The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Law Oxford University Press : 2008 :
Zweigert & Kötz An Introduction to Comparative Law 3rd ed, Oxford University Press : 1998 :
