TLÜ ÕIS

Society and Law

Course code

AKJ6292.YK

old course code

Course title in Estonian

Ühiskond ja õigus

Course title in English

Society and Law

ECTS credits

6.0

Assessment form

assessment

lecturer of 2025/2026 Spring semester

Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.

lecturer of 2026/2027 Autumn semester

Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.

Course aims

- To give an understanding of the role of law in society and of the international, European Union, and Estonian legal systems;

-To develop coherent orientation skills in the field of law, in connection with the individual’s role in society (as a private individual and as a professional);

-To develop the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize legal issues and to formulate and present one’s positions on legal and legal policy matters.

Brief description of the course

The course begins with an overview of society, social phenomena, and the regulation of social relations, followed by an introduction to law—its characteristics, role, and development from archaic forms to modern national, international, and European Union legal systems. It presents the main schools of legal philosophy (natural law, legal positivism, legal realism) and key branches of legal scholarship. The course also examines major legal systems (Continental European and Common Law), sources of law (legislation, contracts, custom, general principles), and core legal concepts such as legal relationships, legal norms, legal facts, interpretation, and analogy.

The development of the Estonian legal system is explored in connection with EU and international law and the individual’s role in society. The course distinguishes between public and private law and outlines their main branches and institutions. Public law topics include constitutional, administrative, criminal, and procedural law, with emphasis on state organization, constitutional values, human rights, and the role of EU and international law. Private law covers the general part of civil law (law of obligations, property, family, and inheritance law) and key aspects of commercial law, including companies, business transactions, intellectual property, and regulatory restrictions. Legal protection and dispute resolution are also addressed.

The course highlights sources of legal information, the analysis of legal and policy issues, and contemporary challenges such as the impact of artificial intelligence and technology. Learning is supported through practical assignments.

Learning outcomes in the course

Upon completing the course the student:
-understands the role of law in society;
-is familiar with the legal system, the main branches of law, their regulatory objects and methods, the principal sources of law, and the relationship between the Estonian legal system and European Union and international law;
-has a basic knowledge of the principles and fundamental concepts of law and its application;
-is able to find relevant information, form reasoned positions on legal and current legal policy issues, and is familiar with methods for resolving legal questions (including the use of artificial intelligence).

Teacher

Study programmes containing that course