LEGL3111 Comparative Law, Culture and Society

2016

4.5

1 x 1-hour tutorial weekly
1 x 1-hour seminar weekly

9 units of second year LEGL topics

LEGL3010 has been successfully completed

What are the differences and similarities between the legal system in Australia, France and China? Why do they exist and are they important? One approach to answering these questions is to examine legal Families, including the Common and Civil law. In this topic students will learn how to compare legal systems across the globe. Subjects will include: the origins and sources of law; the role of legal institutions including courts and legal professionals, and 'inquisitorial' and 'adversarial' procedure; substantive areas of law and procedure including family and criminal law. At the end of the topic students will have a sound understanding of legal systems in other societies and will have skills to help them to find out more.

This topic aims to:

• introduce students to concepts and literature relating to civil and common law 'families'

• encourage students to be curious and critical about legal cultures in other societies

• guide students to compare and contrast the strengths and weakness of legal systems in other societies

• develop students' critical and independent research skills

At the completion of this topic students will:

• be able to identify the core features of common and civil legal cultures

• be able to recognise and appreciate the similarities and differences between national legal systems

• be better equipped to undertake critical, thoughtful comparative research

• be able to demonstrate that they have further developed scholarly skills including critical reading, writing and analysis skills and developing evidence-based arguments