This class provides a foundational understanding of comparative law and selected foreign legal systems. The first part of the course is devoted to understanding the different families of law. We will discuss civil law, common law, socialist law, customary law, Islamic law and others. In addition, we will explore country specific examples. In the second part of the course, we discuss ways to approach comparative law, and explore how laws are compared. Both the first and second parts of the course lead into the third where we will use our knowledge to explore practical policy applications of comparative law: How can laws successfully be transplanted one from country to another? How can law be used to further development? How do different systems address religious differences? How are legal systems rebuilt after wars?
