The Module is aimed at providing the students with the recap/ revision/ systematization of their understanding of the basic notions of the law and related dilemmas. In particular, the Module will place the law within the context of related concepts (social norms/ ethics-morals/ religion), will dwell on major legal systems present (and “practiced”) in the world currently, will outline the major “branches” of the national law and will overview the basics of the judicial system and judicial decision-making.
Basic notions:
Law (the definition)
Sources of law
Social norms
Religious norms
Ethical norms/ morals
Differences/ Similarities/ Interactions between ethical norms (morals)/ social norms/ religious
norms/ law
State and its power: division into branches, checks and balances
Involvement of each of the “Branches” in the law making
Branches of law
Legal System
Civil Law System
Common Law System
Differences between the two
Current realities and overlaps between the two
Religious Legal Systems
US Jury [Voir Dire; Jury verdict; JNOV – Judgment Notwithstanding the verdict]
Jury and Social Networking
Jury outside of the US
Precedent
Stare Decisis
Obiter Dictum
Ratio Decidendi
Court decision (judgment)
Branches of Law and their basic classifications
General Reference Materials:
Black’s Law Dictionary Free Online Legal Dictionary 2nd Ed.:
http://thelawdictionary.org/#ixzz2dKQavCad (
Comparison between Civil and Common Law systems (handout)
Branches of law (handout)
Court system – General overview (handout)
Case Law and Case Summaries
Susan FERLITO and FRANK J. Ferlito, Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. JOHNSON & JOHNSON,
Defendant-Appellee, No. 91-2063, United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, Dec. 22,
1992. https://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F2/983/983.F2d.1066.91-2063.html
Research Papers, Articles and Book Chapters
Basu, Kaushik, Social Norms And The Law. The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics and
the Law, (Peter Newman, ed.), May 1998. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=42840
or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.42840
Dube, Dr. Dipa, Some Reflections on Interplay of Law and Morality in Contemporary India
(January 29, 2008). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1088298 or
http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1088298
Kerr, Orin S., How to Read a Legal Opinion: A Guide for New Law Students. The GREEN
BAG, An Entertaining Journal of Law, Vol 11, No. 1, p. 51, Autumn 2007; GWU Legal
Studies Research Paper No. 414; GWU Law School Public Law Research Paper No. 414.
Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1160925
Pecorino, Philip A, Introduction to Philosophy, Chapter 8, Mores, Law, Morality and Ethics,
http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/socialsciences/ppecorino/INTRO_TEXT/Chapter%208%20Ethics/Mor
es_Law_Morality.htm
Leib, Ethan J., A Comparison of Criminal Jury Decision Rules in Democratic Countries, 5 Ohio
St. J. Crim. L. 629, 2008.
St. Eve, Amy J. and Zuckerman, Michael A., Ensuring an Impartial Jury in the Age of Social
Media. Duke Law & Technology Review, Vol. 11, 2012. Available at SSRN:
http://ssrn.com/abstract=2020499
Tamanaha, Brian Z., Law. St. John’s Legal Studies Research Paper No. 08-0095. Available at
SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1082436
Wolf, Susan M., Physician-Assisted Suicide. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, Vol. 21, No. 1, pp.
179-192, 2005. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1730352
Web resources:
Indiana Jury Orientation Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s5EiPodjd8
Voir Dire (Jury Selection): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQm3w3Tr6aY
Precedent: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOfTQ6va4U0
Euthanasia in Belgium: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2440086/Belgian-elects-dieeuthanasia-
botched-sex-change-operation-left-monster.html?ICO=most_read_module