Theory and History of State and Law; Comparative Legal Research

Profession

A lawyer must not only know a lot about law, but also demonstrate analytical and research skills. A vast array of norms of modern law has been formed over the centuries, accumulating the historical experience of legal relations between different countries and peoples. The institutions of the state that function today have gone a long and difficult path of formation and development. Modern society places high demands on a lawyer that are related to understanding of law in a broad civilisational and socio-cultural context, knowledge of legal doctrines and dogmas as true guidelines in making legal decisions. A lawyer must have a broad outlook, understanding of the trends in development of law and state in Russia and abroad, and be aware of the institutional experience of different countries. A lawyer is required to be proficient in general scientific and private scientific research methodology and innovative methods of teaching law. Integrated knowledge in the field of theory and history of law and state, comparative law, as well as the skills of researching and teaching law open up wide opportunities in the profession for the graduate of the master’s degree programme.

Educational Process

Education within the framework of the master’s programme “Theory and History of Law and State; Comparative Legal Research” takes place in two universities: in RUDN University and Eurasian National University named after L.N. Gumilyov (Kazakhstan). Graduates of the programme receive two diplomas. The organization of the educational process within the framework of the programme provides an individual approach to each Master’s programme student. Leading professors of the Law Institute of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia and the Faculty of Law of ENU named after L.N. Gumilyov. The educational process is carried out not only in RUDN classrooms, but in the Federation Council and the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation, other government and municipal bodies.
Master-students take part in research, practical and methodological events which are held annually: the International Winter Academy in Sochi, where the professional lawyer skills are acquired (the period of student winter vacations); International scientific forum “Law — a phenomenon of civilization and culture”, in which leading Russian and foreign scientists take part , is focused on the development of a modern methodology of legal science (the last decade of March); International research student conference “Law — Society — State: problems of theory and history”, is held together with regional partner universities from Russia and foreign countries (end of April).
The disciplines taught within the programme: History and Methodology of Legal Science, Philosophy of Law, Problems of the Theory of State and Law, Comparative Studies of Legal Cultures, Legal Systems of the Countries of the World, allow acquiring fundamental knowledge. The applied component of the programme is implemented within the framework of such training courses as: Legal Research Skills, Problems of Legal Techniques, Practical Skills of a Lawyer, Methods of Teaching Legal Disciplines.

Practice

The main form of the pre-diploma internship is research activities, during which master-students consolidate profound theoretical knowledge, master the algorithms of research in the field of law. A lot of attention in pre-diploma internship is given to writing qualifications papers, which are defended in Russian and foreign languages.

Career

In line with the RUDN general strategy as an internationally oriented university, the masters who have received education under this programme possess a broad outlook and are well versed in the legal systems and legal institutions of the modern world. They have the opportunity to successfully realize their knowledge in the field of theory and history of law, legal comparative studies, as well as academic and pedagogical competencies. The programme encourages the graduates to further postgraduate studies, aims at employment in research and higher educational institutions, public and municipal authorities, international organizations and public associations.