Bachelor
2023/2024
Introduction to Anglo-American Law
Type:
Elective course
Area of studies:
Law
Delivered by:
School of Theory of Law and Comparative Law
Where:
Faculty of Law
When:
2 year, 4 module
Mode of studies:
offline
Open to:
students of one campus
Instructors:
Irina Jur'evna Bogdanovskaya
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
40
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The purpose of special course “Introduction to English and American Law” (in English) is to introduce the origins of English and American law, its sources and foundations, the basics of constitutional systems of Great Britain and the USA, American federalism, legal education and legal practice, legal culture of the Americans and the British (in comparison with other countries, including Russia), legal and political implications of British membership in the European Union (as well as the Brexit process), other topical issues of contemporary English and American law..
Learning Objectives
- This course is primarily aimed at providing the students the necessary tools to understand and study law of Great Britain and the USA.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Among other aspects, students will explore the following topics: • U.S. Constitution and (unwritten) Constitution of the United Kingdom; • separation of powers in Great Britain and USA; • civil rights and freedoms; • main decisions of the US Supreme Court; • political parties and electoral systems;
- Among other aspects, students will explore the following topics: • impeachment; • death penalty; • foundations of criminal law, foreign relations law, national security law; • peculiarities of application of international law in Great Britain and USA; • legal education in Great Britain and USA, and how to pass Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
- Students should gain the following competencies and abilities: As an introduction to this special course, students will explore English and American methodology of comparative legal studies. They will also study how to do research of English and American law.
- The students should gain the following skills and abilities at the heart of this special course is the study of basic legislation of the United States and Great Britain.
Course Contents
- Legal education in the USA and Great Britain
- Foundations and sources of English and American law. The precedent. Basics of constitutional law of Great Britain and USA
- Legislative branch of government and legislative process. US Congress and British Parliament: formation, structure, powers
- Executive branch of government: status, powers, apparatus. Presidency in the USA
- Judicial branch of government
- Legal status of the individual. Human rights and civil freedoms
- Federalism in the USA. Administrative and territorial composition of Great Britain
- Political parties and party system. Election law, electoral system, and electoral process
- Criminal law and criminal procedure. Constitutional mechanism of emergency powers and states of emergency
- International law in Great Britain and the USA. Foreign relations law. National security law.
- Legal culture: legality and morality. Penitentiary systems in the U.S. and Great Britain. Death penalty
- Legal practice in the U.S. and Great Britain
Interim Assessment
- 2023/2024 4th module0.25 * Current performance at seminars + 0.25 * Essay + 0.5 * Exam
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Domrin, A. N. (2006). The Limits of Russian Democratisation : Emergency Powers and States of Emergency. London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=157789
- Reitz, J. C. (2002). A Life in the Craft of Comparative Law. Michigan Law Review, 100(6), 1453. https://doi.org/10.2307/1290450
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Grimmett, R. F. (2007). Instances of use of United States armed forces abroad, 1798-2007 : updated September 12, 2007 / Richard F. Grimmett. Washington/D.C: Congressional Research Service. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.389625264
- Torreon, B. S. V. (DE-588)1071001248, (DE-576)432859500, aut. (2017). Instances of use of United States armed forces abroad, 1798-2017 / Barbara Salazar Torreon, senior research librarian ; Congressional Research Service. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.496043161