The
University of Florida
Fredric G. Levin College of Law
An introduction to the comparative method from the perspective of an American lawyer, focusing on methodology, rather than on substantive matters. Starts with a survey of Comparative Law, its history, current definition and scope, followed by practical uses of Comparative legal analysis in United States courts. The more substantial part of the semester studies the Civil Law tradition, the most common legal system in our world today. Naturally, this course can only provide a general overview of the large number of Civil Law nations. It starts with foreign legal education and the legal professions. Then the Civil law system is placed in its proper context: historical roots; structure; approach to judicial review; judicial organization. This is not Trade Law. While I believe that comparative methodology is helpful and often even essential for lawyers engaged in international business transactions, this class is neither International Trade Law nor International Business Law. We have wonderful courses elsewhere in our curriculum that cover those subjects.
Exam review for the Fall 2007 exam will start after I post the feedback memorandum in the website on Thursday, February 7, 2008. I will not discuss the exam or any grade-related matter before that date. After I post the feedback memo, you may pick up your exam from me (be sure to have your exam number with you, as I keep them organized by exam number only).
[click here to go the feedback memo]
Our review session will take place on Wednesday Nov. 28. Even though this is a legislative Friday, most students in the course did not appear to have a conflict on this date and time. I will post the exam before the review session. I will NOT answer questions about the exam after the review session.
To view the exam [click here]
I will have only the standard office hours during the next two weeks, with the exception of Wednesday, November 21, 2007 when office hours are cancelled because of Thanksgiving Day travel.
For our first session on Wednesday, August 22, 2007, please download or print and review the course syllabus, and read pages 1-30 or the required materials. The required class readings are a collection of edited materials that are available as a two-volume set on sale at the College of Law Bookstore (since registration is much higher than expected, it is possible that a second printing will be needed). We will spend the first few minutes of class going over the syllabus to discuss my policies and expected coverage. We will then discuss the basics of Comparative Law as covered in the reading assignment.
The syllabus, reading assignments, notes and other materials related to our course, including old exams, are available in my webpage at: http://nersp.osg.ufl.edu/~malavet. I will not hand out printed materials; each student is required to review the materials posted in the class webpage regularly and is deemed to be on notice of what is posted there as a member of my class
Spring 2007 Exam Review
The feedback will be posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007. I will be available for exam review after that. You will have to review the feedback memo, and get your exam from me before scheduling an appointment for examination review.