School of Theory of Law and Comparative Law

Regular version of the site

The School of General and Interdisciplinary Legal Studies was established in 2018 when the leading departments of the Faculty of Law were merged: the Theory and History of Law; Labor Law and Social Security Law; and International Public and Private Law. The School’s faculty currently includes 70 highly qualified specialists in various fields of law, including the theory of law, the history of law, information law, labour law, social security law, sports law, public international law, and private international law.

The School provides a rigorous course of study comparable to that of the world's leading universities. Our mission is to intellectually enrich and challenge students while taking their respective areas of study and professional aspirations into account.

Publications

Book

Law Reforms Around the World: Perspectives from National and International Law

Poldnikov D., Li Z., Kyung S. P. et al.

Abingdon: Routledge, 2023.

Article

Thomas Nagel's theory of justice

Dmitry Balashov.

Russian Sociological Review. 2023. Vol. 22. No. 4. P. 83-106.

Book chapter

Legal semiotics and types of arguments in human rights cases in Russia

Anita Soboleva.

In bk.: Research Handbook on Legal Semiotics. Research Handbooks in Legal Theory series. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2023. Ch. 17. P. 254-266.

Working paper

Introducing Patent Linkage in Russia: An Odd Choice at Odd Times

Gavrilova O., Kotova D.

BRICS Competition Law and Policy Series. WP 22. Higher School of Economics, 2021

All publications

Delivered by:: School of Theory of Law and Comparative Law

Type:: Elective course

When:: 2 year, 4 module

Instructor

Bogdanovskaya, Irina J.

Full Syllabus

Abstract

The purpose of special course “Introduction to English and American Law” (in English) is to introduce the origins of English and American law, its sources and foundations, the basics of constitutional systems of Great Britain and the USA, American federalism, legal education and legal practice, legal culture of the Americans and the British (in comparison with other countries, including Russia), legal and political implications of British membership in the European Union (as well as the Brexit process), other topical issues of contemporary English and American law..

Learning Objectives

This course is primarily aimed at providing the students the necessary tools to understand and study law of Great Britain and the USA.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Among other aspects, students will explore the following topics: • U.S. Constitution and (unwritten) Constitution of the United Kingdom; • separation of powers in Great Britain and USA; • civil rights and freedoms; • main decisions of the US Supreme Court; • political parties and electoral systems;
Among other aspects, students will explore the following topics: • impeachment; • death penalty; • foundations of criminal law, foreign relations law, national security law; • peculiarities of application of international law in Great Britain and USA; • legal education in Great Britain and USA, and how to pass Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
Students should gain the following competencies and abilities: As an introduction to this special course, students will explore English and American methodology of comparative legal studies. They will also study how to do research of English and American law.
The students should gain the following skills and abilities at the heart of this special course is the study of basic legislation of the United States and Great Britain.

Course Contents

Legal education in the USA and Great Britain
Foundations and sources of English and American law. The precedent. Basics of constitutional law of Great Britain and USA
Legislative branch of government and legislative process. US Congress and British Parliament: formation, structure, powers
Executive branch of government: status, powers, apparatus. Presidency in the USA
Judicial branch of government
Legal status of the individual. Human rights and civil freedoms
Federalism in the USA. Administrative and territorial composition of Great Britain
Political parties and party system. Election law, electoral system, and electoral process
Criminal law and criminal procedure. Constitutional mechanism of emergency powers and states of emergency
International law in Great Britain and the USA. Foreign relations law. National security law.
Legal culture: legality and morality. Penitentiary systems in the U.S. and Great Britain. Death penalty
Legal practice in the U.S. and Great Britain

Assessment Elements

Exam
Current performance at seminars
Essay

Interim Assessment

2023/2024 4th module
0.25 * Current performance at seminars + 0.25 * Essay + 0.5 * Exam

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Domrin, A. N. (2006). The Limits of Russian Democratisation : Emergency Powers and States of Emergency. London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=157789
Reitz, J. C. (2002). A Life in the Craft of Comparative Law. Michigan Law Review, 100(6), 1453. https://doi.org/10.2307/1290450

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Grimmett, R. F. (2007). Instances of use of United States armed forces abroad, 1798-2007 : updated September 12, 2007 / Richard F. Grimmett. Washington/D.C: Congressional Research Service. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.389625264
Torreon, B. S. V. (DE-588)1071001248, (DE-576)432859500, aut. (2017). Instances of use of United States armed forces abroad, 1798-2017 / Barbara Salazar Torreon, senior research librarian ; Congressional Research Service. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.496043161

Introduction to Anglo-American Law