Coordinator
Name: Prof. Jan Michiel Otto
Work address: KOG, room B3.07
Telephone: +31 (0)71 527 7260
Contact information: via secretariat
Email: vollenhoven@law.leidenuniv.nl
Department: Metajuridica/Jurisprudence
Division: Van Vollenhoven Instituut
Address secretariat: KOG, room B3.05
Telephone secretariat: +31 (0)71 527 7769
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 9:00-12:30 and 13:30-16:00
Email: vollenhoven@law.leidenuniv.nl
Description
About 125 states in Africa, Asia and the Middle East are generally referred to as ‘developing’ or sometimes ‘non-western’ countries. The legal and administrative systems of these countries are the subject of this comparative course. The key question is to what extent and how foreign interventions can contribute to a better legal system, good governance and development. However, the vast economic, political and social problems in these countries cause much tension in their respective legal and administrative systems, and have led to some frustration with the effectiveness of legal and administrative institutions. In many of these countries the law consists of different, separate elements: apart from modern state law, we can find colonial law as well as Islamic sharia and customary rules. Processes of nation building are often painfully incomplete. Yet in all of these countries national and regional legislation is being adopted, judicial decisions are made every day, and the bureaucracy is supposed to implement central policies while adhering to the rule of law. The problems that we encounter in this field are of critical importance to the development process as a whole.
Methods of instruction
Lectures: – Number of (2 hour) lectures: 2 × 2 hours for 5 weeks – Lecturer: Professor Jan Michiel Otto – Required preparations by students: reading of two to three English articles before each session
Course materials
Reader: – reader, available at Onderwijsmaterialen, KOG, room A.045
Examination
Examination forms: – Written exam – Written assignments during the course
Areas to be tested within the exam:
The compulsory literature, the reader, some introductory remarks and any topics discussed during classes.
Course requirements
This course is suitable for 2nd and 3rd year students in Law, Social Sciences, Public Administration, History, Arts. Non-Law students should be willing to familiarise themselves with the outlines of law.
Time table
See: http://www.leidenuniv.nl/rechten/osi/wg/
Application
Via u-twist
Blackboard
Yes
Remarks
None