Legal Systems of Africa and Asia

label Diverse autorenew 2025-09-29, 17:01 history_edu Diana Ignat
This course offers in part one a theoretically focused introduction to the methodologies of transnational law and legal pluralism and then applies these methods in parts two and three to a comparative study of major traditional and modern laws and legal systems of Asia and Africa. The discussions are placed in the wider context of today's globalised understandings of how different types of normative ordering interact. The course covers mainly Hindu and Muslim laws and also offers introductions to Chinese law and much material on various African laws. There will be practical exercises throughout and active student participation is expected. Working with material from a number of jurisdictions will help students to gain insights into how these legal systems operate differently from Western legal systems in a broader transnational context.This course can be used as a chance to test if law may be a suitable field of further study for the student; a unique opportunity to learn about a selection of traditional and modern legal systems of Asia and Africa; or a general introduction to theories and methodologies of comparative law in a global context and different ways of formal and informal dispute settlement.

Period
30-06-2014 - 18-07-2014 (3 weeks)

Target group
Students in further education.

Course aim
On successful completion of the course, a student should be able to demonstrate: An understanding of different types of legal theory, including the concepts of transnational law and legal pluralism, and their development and interaction in specific historical and regional contexts. Ability to analyse the practical application of these theories and formal and informal methods of dispute settlement in a variety of legal and socio-cultural contexts. Insight into major legal traditions of Asia and Africa, the development of those traditions prior to contact with the West, and selected modern developments in some legal systems of Asia and Africa.



Credits
7.5 ECTS creditsStudents are usually able to obtain credits from their home institution and generally our courses receive 3 credits in the US system and 7.5 ECTS in the European system. However the summer courses remain non-accredited by SOAS. If you intend to claim credits from your home institution, please check the requirements with them before you enrol.

Course fee
GBP 1250[Convert to USD]Tuition fees.GBP 800[Convert to USD]Accommodation fees.-

Course leader
Werner Menski

Scholarships
-

SOAS, University of London Enterprise
Address: Thornhaugh Street London
Postal code: WC1H 0XG
City: London
Country: United Kingdom
Website: http://www.soas.ac.uk/summerschool/ug/
E-mail: summerschool@soas.ac.uk
Phone: +44 0207 898 4205