This course traces the history of private law in Europe from approximately 1750 to 1950. It will begin with the pre-codified law and custom found in the European ius commune, the legal situation during the Ancien Régime of France, revolutionary age leading out to the first great codifications, and proceed to the rise of the historical school and Romanist legal science in Germany, the national debates over codification in Germany, the nature and background of the German Civil Code, the Austrian, Swiss, Spanish and Italian codification experience, and the diffusion of European codifications in countries of Latin America and Asia. Readings will be assigned for discussion and participation in class. Professor Palmer plans to invoke a rule penalizing students for failure to be prepared and/or excessive absenteeism. (3 Credits)
Fall 2018
Vernon Palmer
International & Comparative Law
Legal History & Jurisprudence