Contemporary challenges such as climate change, financial crises, migration, and terrorism raise complex legal questions that cannot be fully understood through legal doctrine alone. To understand how international and EU law operates in practice, we also need to examine how legal rules influence human behaviour and how the behaviour of states, institutions, and individuals shapes the development and effectiveness of the law.
This seminar introduces students to theories and methods from the social sciences and how these can complement legal analysis in international and EU law. Students will become familiar with major social science perspectives on international and EU law and reflect critically on how empirical research can enrich legal scholarship and practice.
The seminar is intended for students of Schwerpunktbereich X (Europa- und Völkerrecht). It is designed specifically for law students, and no prior knowledge of the social sciences is required.
Throughout the seminar, students will develop essential academic and professional skills, including:
- critical thinking;
- legal and empirical research skills;
- discussion and presentation skills; and
- a deeper understanding of how social science methods can contribute to legal scholarship and practice.
Language: The seminar is in English.
Examination: To pass the course you are required to prepare a term paper (3000 words) and give a 10-minute presentation.
Registration: To register please send an email to Sonia Mestre (Sonia.Mestre@uni-hamburg.de) before October 5.