"If you want to change your life, change your thinking".
Activity 1. Comparative Law Video Analysis & Discussion
Objective: To improve listening comprehension, vocabulary related to comparative law, and critical thinking skills by analyzing a video and participating in a discussion.
Task 1. Answer the questions:
Do you know your country's legal system well? Briefly describe it.
Do you know anything about the legal system of any other country?
What role do you think a country's history and culture play in shaping its legal system? Can you give an example?
Task 2. Comparative Law basics.
1) Read the text about Comparative Law:
At its core, comparative law involves the systematic study and comparison of different legal systems. It seeks to identify similarities and differences in the laws, legal institutions, and legal cultures of various countries or regions. This can involve comparing entire legal systems (like common law vs. civil law) or focusing on specific areas of law (e.g., contract law, criminal procedure) across jurisdictions.
2) Watch the video. Are the sentences true (T) or false (F)?
1) The author experienced an accident while shopping.
2) In Germany, the judge looks for similar past cases to evaluate the situation.
3) The department store owner in Germany is responsible for maintaining the building.
4) The Common Law system relies on written codes to determine legal outcomes.
5) The author went to a lawyer after suffering a concussion.
6) In the Anglo-American legal system, judges are not bound by previous cases.
7) The Civil Law system uses general legal provisions to assess individual cases.
Task 3. Discussion Forum.
Based on the video, which legal system do you find most appealing and why?
What are some potential challenges for lawyers working in the country with Common Law system / Civil Law system?
Are there some benefits in each of the legal systems?
Assessment Criteria:
Comprehension (20%): Accuracy in answering questions about legal systems.
Participation (30%): Active engagement in the discussion forum, providing thoughtful and well-reasoned responses.
Vocabulary (20%): Correct usage of key vocabulary in discussion.
Critical Thinking (30%): Demonstrating an understanding of the complexities of comparative law.
Scaling system in the "Modules" section.
Activity 2. Project: "Justice Across Borders: UK vs. Russia"
Objective: To enhance students' understanding of comparative law by researching, analyzing, and presenting a comparison of specific aspects of the legal systems in the UK and Russia, improving their legal English vocabulary and presentation skills.
Task 1. Work in pairs to research and create a comparative analysis of a specific area of law in the UK and Russia. Then present your findings in a well-structured online presentation.
Stages of the Task
Stage 1: Topic Selection & Initial Research
Task: Each pair selects a specific area of law to compare in the UK and Russia. The teacher must approve the topic to ensure feasibility and relevance.
Suggested Topics:
Contract Law: Formation, Breach, and Remedies
Criminal Justice: Arrest, Trial, and Sentencing
Family Law: Marriage, Divorce, and Child Custody
Property Law: Ownership, Inheritance, and Land Use
Data Protection Law: Comparative overview.
Intellectual Property law: Comparative overview.
Deliverable: A brief (1-page) proposal outlining the chosen topic, a preliminary research question, and a list of initial sources.
Resources:
Online Legal Databases: Westlaw, LexisNexis.
Academic Journals: HeinOnline, JSTOR, SSRN (for peer-reviewed articles).
Government Websites: Official government websites for legislation and legal information in the UK and Russia (e.g., legislation.gov.uk, government.ru). (Teacher provides a list of credible links).
Law School Libraries: Online resources from law school libraries (often accessible remotely).
Google Scholar: For identifying academic publications.
Stage 2: In-Depth Research & Analysis
Task: Conduct in-depth research on the chosen topic in both the UK and Russia. You should:
Identify key laws, legal principles, and court cases related to the topic.
Analyze the similarities and differences between the UK and Russian approaches.
Examine the underlying reasons for these differences (historical, cultural, political).
Identify the pros and cons of each approach.
Deliverable: A well-organized research report (3-5 pages) summarizing the findings. The report should include:
A clear introduction and research question.
A detailed description of the law in both countries.
A comparative analysis highlighting similarities and differences.
A discussion of the underlying reasons for the differences.
A conclusion summarizing the key findings and answering the research question.
A bibliography with all sources cited in proper legal citation format.
Resources:
Online Legal Databases: Westlaw, LexisNexis.
Academic Journals: HeinOnline, JSTOR, SSRN (for peer-reviewed articles).
Government Websites: Official government websites for legislation and legal information in the UK and Russia (e.g., legislation.gov.uk, government.ru). (Teacher provides a list of credible links).
Law School Libraries: Online resources from law school libraries (often accessible remotely).
Google Scholar: For identifying academic publications.
Stage 3: Presentation Preparation
Task: Prepare an online presentation summarizing the research findings. You should:
Create a visually engaging PowerPoint or Google Slides presentation.
Structure the presentation logically (introduction, comparison, analysis, conclusion).
Use clear and concise language.
Include relevant visuals (images, charts, graphs).
Practice presentation to ensure smooth delivery and stay within the time limit.
Deliverable: A completed PowerPoint or Google Slides presentation.
Stage 4: Online Presentation & Q&A
Task: Deliver the online presentation to the class. You should:
Present your findings clearly and confidently.
Engage with the audience.
Answer questions from the teacher and classmates.
Deliverable: A 10-12 minute presentation followed by a 3-5 minute Q&A session.
Assessment Criteria:
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