45 / 216
LAW-2159 Comparative Law and Culture
Prof. Stephen C. Hicks,
2 credits day; 2 credits evening.
This seminar will introduce students to substantive comparative law, different legal systems in
general, and legal culture as a whole, exploring the world’s most important legal traditions
against a historical background, and within the context of current social and political concerns.
The premise of the class is that all lawyers will need a basic understanding of how different our
U.S. legal system is from other countries’ systems and cultures, and how important that is for
global understanding and the practice of law in the 21st c. The theoretical framework for the
course is the relationship among law, politics, religion, and ethics, considered in different legal
systems, traditions, and cultures throughout history up to the present. The course covers the
evolution of civil law and common law, the Islamic, Hindu, Asian, and Talmudic legal traditions
and cultures, and tribal or indigenous law, and their future convergence, assimilation, or
replacement by supra-national law, as exemplified by the E.U., for example.
Specific topics to be covered include the origins of law; custom, and alternative dispute
resolution; codification; globalization and westernization; judicial review; the rule of law; and
professional roles and legal education, as well key aspects of particular legal systems, and their
substantive differences from U.S. law.
Readings will be assigned weekly. H. Patrick Glenn, “Legal Traditions of the World,” (4th ed.
Oxford, 2010) is the recommended but not required text. There is no exam. Grades will be
determined on class participation and a final paper. Individual or group presentations are
encouraged. Leading the class on a topic of interest is also encouraged. The final paper may
satisfy the Writing Requirement.
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
<<Course Updated: March 11, 2016>>