|
|
JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL/LAW 299"
COURSE NAME: "Special Topics in Law and Political Science: Comparative Legal Systems"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2025
|
SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Michele Riondino
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
|
|
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
May be taken more than once for credit with different topics.
|
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course is structured to provide a comprehensive examination of comparative legal systems, offering students both theoretical frameworks and practical insights into the study of different legal traditions and systems worldwide.
The course begins with an historical introduction to the methodology of comparative law, addressing the distinction between legal systems and the significance of comparative analysis. It then proceeds to explore the two predominant legal systems: civil law and common law, focusing on their historical development, foundational principles, and core institutions.
Central research questions examined in the course include:
● What are the main legal systems in the world, and how do their structures and principles differ?
● What are the key characteristics of civil law and common law systems, and how have these traditions influenced other legal systems globally?
|
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of the course, students will have developed:
- a solid understanding of the key principles and methodologies of comparative law, with a particular focus on civil law and common law systems.
- will be able to critically analyze legal differences and similarities across jurisdictions and apply comparative methods to address legal issues.
- Students will also enhance their research and problem-solving skills in a global legal context, and evaluate the challenges of legal harmonization, improving their ability to communicate comparative legal analyses effectively.
|
TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Comparative Law | Mathias Siem | Cambridge University Press; 3rd edition (March 24, 2022) | 978-1108744058 | | | Ebook | | |
|
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Introduction to Canon Law | M.J. Arroba Conde, M. Riondino | Mondadori Education 2019 | 9788800750073 | | |
|
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Mid-term exam | Essay questions | 30% |
| Final exam | Essay questions | 30% |
| Project | Oral presentation | 30% |
| Class participation | Attendance is compulsory & students shall contribute to class discussions. | 10% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until: 7 May 2025
|
|
|
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
|
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
|
|
|
SCHEDULE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Introduction to the Course.
An introduction to Comparative Law: history and development – structure and nature of the comparative law – why compare laws
|
|
|
|
|
|
The comparative legal method – research questions – countries to be examined – structures
|
|
|
|
|
|
Postmodern comparative law – extending the methods of comparative law
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common law and Civil law pt.1
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common law and Civil law pt.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
Review Session MID-TERM EXAM
|
|
|
|
|
|
Background and purpose for legal classification – classifying countries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Emphasis of differences /similarities – Horizontally / Vertically divided legal system
|
|
|
|
|
|
The role of socio-legal considerations in comparative law
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of globalization on the comparison between legal system
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regionalism Internationalization
|
|
|
|
|
|
Special Topic: Comparative Law and Religious Systems (Canon Law)
|
M.J. Arroba Conde, M. Riondino - Introduction to Canon Law, Mondadori
|
|
| |
|
|
Education 2019 (Ch.1 & Ch.3)
|
|
|
|
|
Selected themes and issues in Comparative law
|
** readings will be communicated during the course
|
|
|
|
|
Final exam - oral presentation
|
|
|
|
|
|
Final exam - oral presentation
|
|
|
|
|
|