Admission 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.
Description
The course explores the relationship between law and culture – a topic that through globalisation, a perceived ‘clash of civilizations’, and the problems of an effectively multicultural society has become increasingly relevant. How should criminal law deal with the cultural background of those who have committed a crime? Are human rights culturally determined? Is law itself a ‘codification’ of cultural norms and values, or can law be used to change culture? To what extent can law facilitate multiculturalism?
Lecturers from various backgrounds will address such questions, combining legal with social-scientific approaches. They will use ‘real life’ cases to clarify the theoretical issues raised, including many taken from developing countries, where the above questions have been even more pressing than in western societies.
Students are expected to prepare well and participate actively in the classes, which combine lecturing, presentations and discussions.
Course objectives
Objectives of the course:
To give students insight into the main interconnections between law and culture
To sensitise students to cultural aspects of law
To familiarise students with a socio-legal approach of problems
Achievement levels:
The following achievement levels apply with regard to the course:
- to be announced
Timetable
See: http://www.leidenuniv.nl/rechten/osi/wg/ .
Mode of instruction
Lectures/seminars
Number of (2 hour) lectures/ seminars: 10
Names of lecturers: Dr. Adriaan Bedner, Dr. J. Ubink, and others
Required preparation by students:reading articles, preparing two assignments and two (collective) presentations
Assessment method
Examination form(s)
Written exam.
Two assignments.
Submission procedures
Areas to be tested within the exam
The reader and any other topics discussed during classes.
Blackboard
More information on this course is offered in Blackboard.
Reading list
Obligatory course materials
Literature:
- to be announced
Course information guide:
- to be announced
Reader:
- Reader, available at Onderwijsmaterialen (KOG, room A.045)
Recommended course materials:
- to be announced
Registration
Students have to register for courses and exams through uSis.
Contact details
Coordinator: A. Bedner
Work address: KOG, room B3.20
Contact information: By appointment through email
Telephone number: 071-5277668
E-mail: a.w.bedner@law.leidenuniv.nl
Institution/division
Institution: Metajuridica
Division: Van Vollenhoven Instituut
Room number secretariat: KOG, room B3.05
Opening hours: Monday – Thursday 9.00 – 12.30 and 13.30 – 16.00 hrs
Telephone number secretariat: 071-5277769
E-mail: vollenhoven@law.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
None