Topics in Comparative Law

Pedriza Luis (Graduate School of Law)

Cource Objective
   Although Comparative Law traces its origins to the 19th century, the interest toward this academic discipline has considerable increased over the last decades due to so called Globalization process. Thus, the acquisition of comparative perspectives is unavoidably required to both, legal practitioners and legal scholars in order to be called 'global jurists'. The chief objective of this lecture is to map the Globe out so as to identify the main legal families and traditions which coexist nowadays. Furthermore, the students will be compelled to think about the role to be played by Japanese Law within the unstoppable advance of Globalization.

Requirement / Prerequisite
   There are no requisites for this course. The course is open to both, graduate and undergraduate students.

Course Content
   The topics scheduled for this course are as follows. However, some adjustments may be made if necessary.
   1- What is Law?: Naturalism vs. Positivism
   2- What is Law for?: The functions of thge Law
   3- Where does Law come from?: The sources of law
   4- Legal families of the world
   5- Japanese law
   6- Judges and courts
   7- Lawyers
   8- Trials and Procedures
   9- Constitutiuonal law I: Constitutionalism
   10- Constitutional law II: Presidential systems vs. Parlamentarian systems
   11- Constitutional law III: Human rights
   12- Property and contract law
   13- Tort law
   14- Criminal law
   15- Review

Textbooks
   Materials will be provided

Grading Policy
   Debate reports 40%, final report 60%. Attendance is mandatory unless excused.