<p> LGLS 124b: Comparative Law and Development Spring, 2018</p><p>Daniel L. Breen Office: Brown Hall, 324 Office Hours: Mondays through Thursdays, 10:30-2 781-736-3024 E-mail: [email protected]</p><p>This a survey class, designed to introduce students to the comparative study of law. In other words, our purpose throughout the semester will be to engage with a certain kind of methodology, by which various legal systems and doctrines are considered with a view towards understanding their differences, finding their similarities, and using this knowledge to gain a more nuanced grasp of the nature of law. Along the way we will have the chance to consider such topics as the differences between common law and civil law systems, the growth of modern legal traditions through such IGOSs as the European Union and the World Trade Organization, and the distinct approaches to such matters as domestic relations, employment law and reproductive rights taken by diverse legal systems throughout the world.</p><p>The class will be directed towards several goals. By the end of the semester, students will understand the comparative method of the study of law, appreciating its advantages and its limitations; possess a nuanced range of knowledge about the differences between the most prevalent systems of law in Europe, North America, Asia and Africa; and have the skills to evaluate legal rules wherever they might live with reference to rules in effect in other systems around an increasingly integrated world.</p><p>Required Text</p><p>Schlesinger, Comparative Law (7th Edition) This text is available as a rental.</p><p>Course Requirements</p><p>Three Essays, 6-8 pages each (60%) Final Exam (25%) Attendance and Class Participation (15%) Class Schedule</p><p>January 10: Introduction: A Comparative Law Case Study</p><p>Jan. 17: The Study of Comparative Law TEXT: 1-31</p><p>Jan. 18: Comparative Law in the Domestic Context TEXT: 52-69</p><p>Jan. 22-24: Global Legal Integration: Common Ground in Systems of Law TEXT: 69-125</p><p>Jan. 29-31: What is Law Anyway? How do we Know it When we See it? TEXT: 125-177</p><p>First Essay Due: Feb. 5.</p><p>Feb. 5-7: The Spread and Diffusion of Law TEXT: 177-223</p><p>Feb. 12-14: Legal Transplants and Legal Pluralism TEXT: 223-282</p><p>Feb. 19-23: VACATION</p><p>Feb. 26-28: The Development of Legal Traditions: China and the Civil Law TEXT: 282-362</p><p>March 5: Islamic Law TEXT: 362-384</p><p>March 7-12: The Age of Codification TEXT: 385-477</p><p>March 14: Introduction to the Common Law</p><p>Second Essay Due: March 14</p><p>March 19-21: Case Law and the Civil Law Tradition TEXT: 477-563 March 26-28: Judicial Interpretation of Codes TEXT: 563-628</p><p>March 30-April 6: VACATION</p><p>April 9-11: A Comparative Approach to the Legal Profession TEXT: 628-707</p><p>April 16-18: A Comparative Approach to Issues of Private Law TEXT: 864-920</p><p>Third Essay Due: April 23</p><p>April 23: Final Thoughts on Comparative Law</p><p>FINAL EXAM: TBA Success in this four credit class is based on the expectation that students will spend a minimum of nine hours per week in preparation for class (readings, papers and preparation for exams).</p>