History of law Field of study: Law
Programme code: W5-SMPR19.2025

Module name: History of law
Module code: his_pr_02
Programme code: W5-SMPR19.2025
Semester: summer semester 2025/2026
Language of instruction: Polish
Form of verification: exam
ECTS credits: 6
Purpose and description of the content of education:
The aim of the module is to familiarise the student with the history, development and evolution of judicial law (civil and criminal, in the 20th century also labour law) and legal thought and the organisation of the judiciary from the beginning of the Middle Ages in principle until the end of the 20th century (latest date: 1991 USSR). The territorial scope is Europe and fragmentarily the USA. A special focus and detailing of the lecture takes place with regard to more recent times: from the Age of Enlightenment (18th century) and especially for the 20th century. The history of law in the USSR (1917-1991) and People's Poland (1944-1989) is extensively taught. The student acquires knowledge of the origins, nature and evolution of judicial law, while understanding the mechanisms of formation and consequences of key legal concepts and institutions. Student is able to identify and accurately interpret connections between legal phenomenons and widely understood cultural and social conditions, analysing them in historical context. Within the framework of the course, the student develops the ability to use historical-legal sources, carries out their critical analysis and applies historical-legal methodology. Furthermore, is able to compare, interpret and reconstruct legal institutions, as well as explain the causes and effects of specific legal regulations, using historical examples and court decision as source material.
List of modules that must be completed before starting this module (if necessary): not applicable
Learning outcome of the module Codes of the learning outcomes of the programme to which the learning outcome of the module is related [level of competence: scale 1-5]
Knows and understands the history and evolution of judicial law and the administration of justice in Europe throughout the centuries. [hispr_p_01_1]
 K_W02 [5/5]
Knows and understands legal thought and its influence on the development of individual legal institutions. [hispr_p_01_2]
 K_W03 [2/5]
Knows the most important sources of law in Poland and various European countries up to the end of the 20th century. [hispr_p_01_3]
 K_W07 [3/5]
Knows and understands the legal principles of individual branches of law in their historical development. [hispr_p_01_4]
 K_W08 [4/5]
Knows and understands the development of legal institutions and the administration of justice in the historical development in European legal culture (fragmentary US), including the rights and obligations of legal subjects. [hispr_p_01_5]
 K_W10 [3/5]
Recognizes the mechanisms and effects of the functioning of law, as well as the evaluation, interpretation, and resolution of specific factual situations in a historical context. [hispr_p_01_6]
 K_U03 [3/5]
Assesses the historical development of Europe in the context of its relationship with the creation and application of law. [hispr_p_01_7]
 K_U02 [4/5]
Is ready to make the impact of social and political phenomena in the context of historical development on the content of the law and the functioning of the judiciary. [hispr_p_01_8]
 K_K02 [5/5]
Form of teaching Number of hours Methods of conducting classes Assessment of the learning outcomes Learning outcomes
lecture [his_pr_01] 30 Formal lecture/ course-related lecture [a01]  exam hispr_p_01_1 hispr_p_01_2 hispr_p_01_3 hispr_p_01_4 hispr_p_01_7
practical classes [his_pr_02] 30 Activating method – educational games [b03] 
Activating method – discussion / debate [b04] 
Activating methods: a case study [b07] 
Activating method – flipped classroom [b09] 
Screen presentation [c07] 
Working with a programmed textbook [d02] 
Simulation [e07] 
Individual work with a text [f02]  		course work hispr_p_01_2 hispr_p_01_3 hispr_p_01_5 hispr_p_01_6 hispr_p_01_7 hispr_p_01_8
The student's work, apart from participation in classes, includes in particular:
Name Category Description
Search for materials and review activities necessary for class participation [a01] Preparation for classes
reviewing literature, documentation, tools and materials as well as the specifics of the syllabus and the range of activities indicated in it as required for full participation in classes
Literature reading / analysis of source materials [a02] Preparation for classes
reading the literature indicated in the syllabus; reviewing, organizing, analyzing and selecting source materials to be used in class
Developing practical skills [a03] Preparation for classes
activities involving the repetition, refinement and consolidation of practical skills, including those developed during previous classes or new skills necessary for the implementation of subsequent elements of the curriculum (as preparation for class participation)
Consulting materials complementary to those indicated in the syllabus [a04] Preparation for classes
agreeing on materials complementary to those indicated in the syllabus, supporting the implementation of tasks resulting from or necessary for class participation
Getting acquainted with the syllabus content [b01] Consulting the curriculum and the organization of classes
reading through the syllabus and getting acquainted with its content
Verification / adjustment / discussion of syllabus provisions [b02] Consulting the curriculum and the organization of classes
consulting the content of the syllabus, possibly in the presence of the year tutor or members of the class group, and, if necessary, reassessing the provisions concerning special conditions for class participation, e.g., space and time requirements, technical and other requirements, including conditions for participation in classes outside the walls of the university, classes organized in blocks, organized online, etc.
Consulting the schedule [b03] Consulting the curriculum and the organization of classes
getting acquainted with the class schedule, possibly in the presence of the year tutor, in order to optimize participation in classes, including those supplementary to the core subjects listed in the pursued study programme
Determining the stages of task implementation contributing to the verification of learning outcomes [c01] Preparation for verification of learning outcomes
devising a task implementation strategy embracing the division of content, the range of activities, implementation time and/or the method(s) of obtaining the necessary materials and tools, etc.
Studying the literature used in and the materials produced in class [c02] Preparation for verification of learning outcomes
exploring the studied content, inquiring, considering, assimilating, interpreting it, or organizing knowledge obtained from the literature, documentation, instructions, scenarios, etc., used in class as well as from the notes or other materials/artifacts made in class
Implementation of an individual or group assignment necessary for course/phase/examination completion [c03] Preparation for verification of learning outcomes
a set of activities aimed at performing an assigned task, to be executed out of class, as an obligatory phase/element of the verification of the learning outcomes assigned to the course
Analysis of the corrective feedback provided by the academic teacher on the results of the verification of learning outcomes [d01] Consulting the results of the verification of learning outcomes
reading through the academic teacher’s comments, assessments and opinions on the implementation of the task aimed at checking the level of the achieved learning outcomes
Development of a corrective action plan as well as supplementary/corrective tasks [d02] Consulting the results of the verification of learning outcomes
reviewing and selecting tasks and activities enabling the elimination of errors indicated by the academic teacher, their verification or correction resulting in completing the task with at least the minimum passing grade
Participation in non-obligatory teaching, research or organizational grants intensifying the achievement of the assumed learning outcomes [e03] Activities complementary to the classes
research, artistic, social and other activities not indicated in the curriculum, undertaken on the student’s own initiative as a way of supplementing, enriching or extending the content and activities indicated in the module curriculum, intensifying the achievement of learning outcomes
Attachments
Module description (PDF)
Information concerning module syllabuses might be changed during studies.
Syllabuses (USOSweb)
Semester Module Language of instruction
(no information given)