Course Code : LAW 201 & LAW 202
Course Title : THE CLASSICAL FOUNDATIONS OF MODERN LAW I and – THE CLASSICAL FOUNDATIONS OF MODERN LAW II
Weekly Teaching Hour: 3-hours lecture per week, 1 (1-hour) tutorial every week
Who may enrol : Compulsory for Year 2 (sophomore) LLB. Students
Prerequisites : N/A
Lecturer : To be announced on August 2020
Description : An appreciation of ancient Athens and ancient Rome is essential if a law student is to gain a deep understanding of the law of England and Wales, as well as European Union law. For example, it is impossible to understand the inner meaning of democracy without reference to ancient Athens. To take another example, it is impossible to gain a deep understanding of the uses of rights in rem and in personam in English Land Law without having studied ownership and possession in Roman law. More broadly, an appreciation of ancient Athens will give a law student the knowledge necessary to understand the emergence of democracy, the separation of powers, the rule of law, trial by jury, equity and other features of the English Legal System. An appreciation of Roman law will give a law student the knowledge necessary to understand how the common law tradition of England differs from but sometimes draws upon the civil law tradition adhered to by several Member States of the European Union. In the light of the above, the course will introduce students to some of the foundations of ancient Athenian law, some of the foundations of Roman law, some of the core pillars of Roman law and some of the ways in which the ancient Athenian and Roman worlds have had a lasting impact on the law of England and Wales, as well as the law of the European Union. In this context, the course will place due attention on the reasons why the Common Law and Equity emerged in England. An appreciation of Ancient Athenian and Roman law is particularly relevant to students in the North & South Cyprus. For instance, the Romans were once the imperial rulers of the Island of Cyprus. In addition, elements of the law of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as the law of the European Union of which the Republic of Cyprus forms part, have been influenced by ancient Athens and ancient Rome.
COURSE CONTENT 1. The emergence of law, justice, the separation of powers and democracy in ancient Athens, 2. The foundations of Roman law, 3. The governance of ancient Rome, 4. Slavery and citizenship in ancient Rome , 5. The impact of Ancient Athens and Ancient Rome on the development of common law, equity and the English legal system, 6. The impact of Ancient Athens and Ancient Rome on the development of civil law jurisdictions the law of the European Union and the values of liberal democracy, 7. Case studies which illustrate the impact of ancient Greece and ancient Rome upon English law.
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES On successful completion of this course a student will be able to: 1. Appreciate the foundations of law and democracy in ancient Athens. 2. Appreciate the debt owed by Common Law and Equity to ancient Greece and ancient Rome. 3. Appreciate how courts make use of some of the principles of ancient Greek and ancient Roman law in order to address contemporary legal problems
TEACHING METHODS The course will be taught in a lecture format.
Recommended Textbook (s) and Supplementary Books :
- Reading lists and other materials will be provided for students registered on the course via online by lecturer.
Course Assessment:
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Class Participation 10%,
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Mid-term Examination 30%,
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Assignments 10%,
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Final Examination 50%,
Attendance 95 % compulsory.