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.
For our first session on Wednesday, January 14, 2009, 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. 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.
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 here.