COURSE DESCRIPTION 2012 2013

Prof. Bernard M. Ortwein,

2 credits day; 2 credits evening.

A paraphrase of the German novelist and Nobel Prize winner Thomas Mann suggests that the best way to discover who we are and to improve is to make comparisons with others. This course has that general objective in mind. In which legal system would you like to be charged with a crime? The method we will use to help answer this query is to compare certain basic components of a variety of criminal justice systems throughout the world. Using the American criminal justice system as the base, we will observe discrete aspects of the English, German, French, Swedish, and Japanese systems. In addition to answering the question posed, the hope is that at the end each student will have some understanding of those other systems and be in a position to view our own system from a different and more enlightened perspective. Paper and class presentation required.

Enrollment is limited: 20

Elective Course

On List of Recommended Perspectives Courses

Meets International Law Concentration Requirements

May Fulfill Legal Writing Requirement

Final Paper Required

Comparative Health Law and Policy