Bachelor 2023/2024

Law and Economics

Type: Elective course (HSE/NES Programme in Economics)

Area of studies: Economics

Delivered by: Undergraduate Programmes Curriculum Support

Where: Faculty of Economic Sciences

When: 4 year, 3, 4 module

Mode of studies: offline

Open to: students of one campus

Language: English

ECTS credits: 6

Contact hours: 64

Course Syllabus

Abstract

How does law shape economics? What implications does legal environment has on economic and political development? What legal institutions promote rule of law? How and why are courts biased? These questions have animated both economists and political scientists since centuries. In this course, we answer these questions by introducing students to the vibrant “law and economics” field. First, we explore what kind of legal institutions promote economic development and democratic accountability? Second, we discuss different determinants of judicial bias and provide evidence for them. The goal of this course, therefore, is to acquaint students with an introduction to law and economics, from an empirical perspective.

Learning Objectives

• The goal of this course, therefore, is to acquaint students with an introduction to law and economics, from an empirical perspective.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• to analyse how households’ and firms’ supply and demand of products and services are affected by changes in market conditions, such as changes in legal rules
• to analyse in a qualified way private law problems from a law and economics perspective.
• to explain the basic theories of law and economic concerning prominent private law topics such as ownership, contract, tort and company law,
• to explain the content and consequences of different economic definitions of efficiency,

Course Contents

• Part 1: Empirical Analysis of Law and Economics and Conceptual Issues
• Part 2: Judicial Independence, Political Influence and Development
• Part 3: Judicial Bias
• Part 4 (if time): Russian Justice

Assessment Elements

• Class presentation
  20% of the final gradre
• Write a paper and present in class
  Optionally (replaces take-home exam)
• 2-page summary and discussion
  20% of the final grade
• Executive summary with discussion of an academic paper and a take-home exam
  50% of the final grade
• Class participation
  10% of the class

Interim Assessment

• 2023/2024 4th module
  0.2 * 2-page summary and discussion + 0.2 * Class participation + 0.2 * Class presentation + 0.2 * Executive summary with discussion of an academic paper and a take-home exam + 0.2 * Write a paper and present in class

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Jean-Bernard AUBY. (2017). Law and Economics.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Dana Gold. (2009). Law and Economics : Toward Social Justice. Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
• Posner, R. A., & Yoon, A. H. (2011). What Judges Think of the Quality of Legal Representation. Stanford Law Review, 63(2), 317–349.

Authors

• Антонова Екатерина Сергеевна