LAW 7524 - International Comparative Law

This course, through a leading text on Comparative Law co-authored by the instructor, introduces the American law student to the rich legal traditions around the world. We begin with civil law, the most widely used legal system in the world. We examine the law civil law legal tradition by studying the legal system of Germany. We then examine English law, the legal system most comparable to our own and which forms the basis of Anglo-American common law. The course then examines a non-Western legal tradition by examining Chinese law. We end with a brief overview of Islamic Law and how it forms the basis of legal systems in many Muslim-majority countries. This course will probably be the only course a student takes in law school that examines law outside of the United States. As such, it provides an important component of preparing the future lawyer to practice in a globalized legal world. This course is an approved elective for the International Law Emphasis. This course will also satisfy the Practice Oriented Writing requirement. Letter grade. 3 credits