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Global Legal Systems in Comparative Perspective - LAWS8118
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Faculty: Faculty of Law
 
 
School:  Faculty of Law
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Postgraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 2
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
Academic Program must be either 9200, 9210, 5740, 9230, 9231 or 5231
 
 
CSS Contribution Charge:Band   (more info)
 
 
Tuition Fee:See Tuition Fee Schedule
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description

This course will focus on a comparative study of the world's major legal traditions, within the Western and Non-Western Legal traditions. The greatest focus will be on a comparative examination of the world's two primary legal traditions, the Civil Law and the Common Law. Together these legal traditions provide the foundation of most of the world’s national legal systems. As an initial matter, the class will examine the essential characteristics of the Civil Law and the Common Law, focusing on each tradition’s history, legal structures, legal actors, procedures, and sources of law. As part of the general examination of these traditions, the class will examine particular systems within those traditions, including the American, English, Scottish, French, and German legal systems. The class will then engage in a shorter comparative examination of the non-Western Legal traditions, which may include the Socialist, Confucian, Islamic, Jewish and Hindu Law systems.

Recommended Prior Knowledge

None

Course Aims

  • Knowledge and understanding of the world's primary legal systems;
  • Knowledge and understanding of the role of the different legal actors in the world's legal systems, including that of lawyers, judges, law students, professors and government attorneys;
  • Awareness of ethical and legal issues surrounding lawyers' interactions with foreign legal systems.

Learning Outcomes

A candidate who has successfully completed this course should be able to:
  • Demonstrate familiarity with the world's primary legal systems - the Continental/Civil and Common Law systems;
  • Appreciate the differences present in legal systems and how lawyers and legislators may learn from foreign legal systems;
  • Engage in debate about contemporary legal issues in Australia as informed by knowledge of how other legal systems operate.

Main Topics

  • Comparative Law
  • Constitutional Law
  • Foreign Legal Systems
  • Jurisprudence
  • Legal History
  • Legal Process

Assessment

Class participation 20%
Research essay 80%

Course Texts

To be advised

Resources

A full up-to date reading list will be provided in the detailed course outline.

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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.