Navigation items and banners
FUBiS Term III: Law, Society and Politics in Germany, Europe, and Beyond
(Course # 2.16)
|
Type: |
B Track |
|
Instructor(s): |
|
|
Language: |
English |
|
Contact hours: |
48 (6 contact hours per day) |
|
Credit Points: |
4 Credit Points |
|
Capacity: |
18 |
Course description
This seminar explores two basic types of questions about law, society and politics. One type of question looks through the lens of the social sciences and examines the role of law in Germany, Europe, and other contemporary transnational and global settings, while the other reverses the telescope and asks what the microcosm of law can tell us about the broader societies and political systems in which it is embedded. The course begins with a week of foundational topics, including German and European legal history, the classical tradition of comparative law, and an introduction to sociolegal theory. Classes in subsequent weeks address a variety of themes, such as: why and how people comply with law, law and social change, the relationship between law and capitalism, constitutionalism and judicial review, rights and equality; legal culture, and the role of courts, judges and other legal elites. Each of these daily themes is structured around a basic set of theoretical and historical readings, followed by two or more related sub-topics. Thus, for example, the unit on Law and Social Change includes a look at cause lawyering and international human rights advocacy, while the theme of Legal Culture includes one class unit on the role of law during (and after) totalitarianism, and another comparing the European and American “ways of law”.
The approach of the course is more empirical than philosophical, though it does contain a social theoretic component (including classic readings from Durkheim, Ehrlich, Marx & Weber). Readings will be in English and drawn from a wide range of historical and contemporary sources, including primary sources – treaties, constitutions, codes, statutes, and cases – and empirical studies of legal phenomena. The course aims to contextualize each theme, both historically and culturally, but also to link the broad themes to current transnational and global challenges, such as regulating the Internet and defending human rights.
A number of field trips will be offered during the Term. Tentative plans include a visit to a criminal court, to the Ministry of Justice, to the unique “Places of Remembrance” memorial in Berlin’s Bavarian Quarter (Bayerisches Viertel), which examines the role of law in the NS persecution of Jews, and possibly also to Transparency International, a Berlin-based NGO.
Requirements & Grading
Each student’s grade will be based primarily on a final written exam (80%). Students are expected to attend class, to prepare for each class, and to participate in class discussions, and will be asked on one or more occasions to present assigned readings. Taken together, these dimensions of class participation will count 20% towards the final grade for the course.
Student profile
This course is designed for all students having an interest in social sciences – in particular, sociology or political science – or in law. No prior knowledge of law is required, the only course prerequisite is an open mind. The course aims to foster dialogue among students from different disciplines and cultural backgrounds about pressing contemporary challenges, while at the same time providing a broad foundation for further study in these various fields.
Links
