Comparative law has developed into a special field and distinguishable
research approach of legal studies. Knowledge of foreign legal systems,
laws and distinctive qualities of legal thinking may improve the
understanding of own legal system and provide a set of feasible legal
solutions already tested in other jurisdictions. Thus, in recent years
legal reforms hardly ever take place without consultation of foreign
laws. Previous research suggest to incorporate comparative law materials from the
outset of legal education to stimulate learning of legal thinking in a
pluralistic manner (Husa, 2009). Comparative legal research aims at reaching a
deep cultural understanding of foreign law. Comparison with other legal
systems, can improve the understanding of own system by compelling law students
to question the soundness of familiar legal solutions, and investigate
underlying assumptions driving those solutions (Kamba, 1974).
The course on Comparative Legal Research is a methodology course modelled on the principles of constructivism to stimulate students´ (critical) legal thinking. The course draws on prior-knowledge of students in different areas of law. Our goal is to support deep approach to learning i.e. understanding and creating meaning from the previously acquired legal knowledge, utilizing methods of comparative legal research. By the end of the course students should acquire tools to better understand, critically assess and test their previous knowledge by the way of comparison, focusing on the prevalence of certain discourses, language of the law, and the context in which it operates.
- Teacher: Dhanay Cadillo Chandler
- Teacher: Hanna Malik