| Course Name | Year | Term | Period | Faculty / Graduate School | All Instructors | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14511:[2025 Spring]Special Lectures in English(Intermediate) (JC) § 14512:Special Lectures in English(Intermediate) (JC) | 2025 | Spring | Thu3 | College Of Law | WOLF MICHAEL L.、SATO WATARU | 2 |
Campus
Class Venue
Language
Course Outline and Method
The primary focus of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental principles of the common law, and the vocabulary related to such topics. We will discuss subjects including sources of the common law, differences between common law and civil law countries, and current events in the politics of common law countries.
Students will take four short tests and give a presentation individually on the topic they are interested in. In principle, test results and feedback will be given the following week in class.
Students who intend to study law abroad are strongly encouraged to enroll in this course.
Students are required to participate in every class.
Student Attainment Objectives
Students will expand their legal vocabulary through reading assignments, writing exercises, conversations, and analysis of case law.
Students will discuss current legal and political events occurring in common law countries.
Recommended Preparatory Course
Course Schedule
| Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) | Theme |
|---|---|
| Keyword, References and Supplementary Information | |
| 1 (Wolf&Sato) | An introduction to the common law |
What is common law?
|
|
| 2 (Sato) | Chapter 1 - Tort law |
Key terms & concepts |
|
| 3 (Wolf) | Chapter 2 - Contract law (damages) |
Key terms & concepts |
|
| 4 (Sato) | Chapter 3 - Contract law (fraud) |
Key terms & concepts |
|
| 5 (Wolf&Sato) | Presentations and Test 1 |
Presentations (45 min.)
|
|
| 6 (Wolf) | Chapter 4 - Criminal law |
Key terms & concepts |
|
| 7 (Wolf) | Chapter 7 - Jury trials |
Key terms & concepts |
|
| 8 (Wolf&Sato) | Presentations and Test 2 |
Presentations (45 min.)
|
|
| 9 (Sato) | Chapter 8 - The right to a fair trial |
Key terms & concepts |
|
| 10 (Wolf) | Chapter 9 - Racial discrimination |
Key terms & concepts |
|
| 11 (Wolf&Sato) | Presentations and Test 3 |
Presentations (45 min.)
|
|
| 12 (Sato) | Chapter 10 - Segregation |
Key terms & concepts |
|
| 13 (Wolf) | Chapter 12 - Diversity - Religious tradition |
Key terms & concepts |
|
| 14 (Wolf&Sato) | Presentations and Test 4 |
Presentations (45 min.)
|
Class Format
Recommendations for Private Study
Grade Evaluation Method
| Kind | Percentage | Grading Criteria etc. |
|---|---|---|
| Final Examination (Written) | ||
| Report Examination (A report to be submitted by the unified deadline) |
||
| Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment (Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class) |
100 | Participation 10%
|
Grade Evaluation Method （Note）
Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods
Textbooks
| Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN Code | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Minds | Shinichiro Torikai, et al. | Kinseido Publishing Co., Ltd. | 9784764739840 |
Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）
Reference Books
Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）
Web Pages for Reference
How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)
Other Comments
You may contact Professor Wolf by email at wolf(at)fc.ritsumei.ac.jp any time with questions, or to make an appointment to visit his office at 修4F room 492.
2. If you are absent, you are responsible for contacting another class member or the professor to find out what you missed, and the homework due before the next class.
3. All students are required to check their email and manaba +R regularly for class updates and announcements.
URL:https://secure.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html/