Wiktoria Dygulska

Marta Piekarska

HISTORY OF LAW

This course introduces students to the historical foundations and evolution of legal systems worldwide, with an emphasis on the development of Western legal traditions that underpin many modern legal frameworks. It examines how law has evolved as a reflection of social, political, economic, and cultural change. Key topics include the origins and development of English common law, such as the codification movements that shaped modern civil law traditions. Through lectures and case studies, students will gain a forceful foundation in understanding how historical legal development continues to inform current legal institutions and doctrines.

The course provides an extensive overview of legal principles and the legal system.

HISTORY OF LAW

This course introduces students to how law began and developed over time, helping them understand where today’s legal systems come from. It explores the roots of law in different parts of the world, with a focus on how Western legal traditions have shaped many of the systems we use today.

Students will learn how law has changed in response to society, politics, economics, and culture. Topics include the beginnings of English common law and the codification of laws that influenced modern civil law systems. Through lectures, discussions, and case studies, students will build a strong understanding of how past legal ideas continue to shape the laws and institutions we rely on today.

The course also provides a broad introduction to basic legal principles and the structure of the legal system, giving students a solid foundation for further studies in law.

Michał Bejger

Maja Kulczewska

Amelia Brodny

Criminal Law

The Criminal Law course is designed for second-year law students who are obligated to understand how the legal system deals with crime and punishment. During the course, students will be introduced to the basic principles of criminal liability and the application of criminal law in practice. The lectures will cover selected areas such as offences against life, property, and public safety, as well as the concept of intent, negligence, and punishment. Students will gain an insight into how criminal responsibility is determined and how legal rules are enforced in real-life cases, but also get to know certain, interesting cases. The classes aim to develop students’ ability to analyse cases and apply legal reasoning to factual situations. Within the framework of the course, there will also be discussions about law enforcement and the role of courts in maintaining justice.

This course provides an excellent foundation for anyone with an interest in criminal justice, public safety, or human rights. It is an essential subject for every law student.

Criminal Law – Get to Know How Justice Really Works

If you’ve ever wondered how the law deals with crime and punishment, this course is for you. Aimed at second-year law students, Criminal Law takes you inside the world of criminal responsibility, real-life cases, and the rules that shape our justice system.😱😱😱

You’ll learn what makes someone legally responsible for a crime, how intent and negligence are judged, and how punishment is decided. We’ll explore crimes against life, property, and public safety – and discuss some fascinating cases along the way.🤑🤑🤑

Classes are all about getting you to think like a lawyer: analysing situations, applying legal principles, and debating how the law should respond. Expect lively discussions about the work of courts, law enforcement, and what justice really means.🧑‍🦽‍➡️🧑‍🦽‍➡️🧑‍🦽‍➡️

If you’re interested in criminal justice, public safety, or human rights, this course will give you a solid foundation — and a fresh perspective on the law in action.🧑‍🤝‍🧑🧑‍🤝‍🧑🧑‍🤝‍🧑

Julia Sadowska

Piotr Dziewiątkowski

Constitutional Law

This course gives a simple overview of how a country's constitution works and how it affects its laws and government. Students will be introduced to key principles such as: separation of powers, the rule of law, and fundamental rights. The course aims to give an insight into the application of constitutional principles in real-life cases.

It is designed for first-year law students, but others are also welcome to attend. Through lectures and tutorials, students will look at selected areas such as judicial review, constitutional reform, and the relationship between the state and citizens. The course will cover both national and international perspectives and will introduce students to current debates in constitutional law.

In conclusion, as part of the class, students will look at examples and take part in discussions to learn how constitutions work in modern democracies. It is intended to prepare students for more advanced elective options later in the degree.

⚖️ Constitutional Law

Okay, so this course is basically about how a country’s constitution actually works — not just some boring theory stuff, but how it really plays out in real life 💡. You’ll see how it shapes the government, the law, and even things that affect you every day 🌍.

We learned about the separation of powers, the rule of law, and fundamental rights ✊ — basically, who’s in charge, what they can (and can’t) do, and how people can fight back when the system goes too far. Sounds serious, right? But once you start linking it to real cases and political drama, it gets surprisingly cool. 🔥

What’s fun is that you realise law isn’t just dusty books and old rules 📚 — it’s about real people, real problems, and how countries keep things fair (or at least try to 😅).

It’s one of the first courses you take when you start law school 👩‍⚖️👨‍⚖️, and it sets you up perfectly for other subjects like Human Rights Law or Administrative Law. If you’re into politics, justice, or just like asking “why do they even have the power to do that?”, this one’s gonna be your jam ⚖️💬.

Political and Legal Doctrines

This course provides a general overview of the main political and legal ideas that have influenced Western civilization. Students will be introduced to the development of political thought from ancient Greece and Rome, through Christianity and the Middle Ages, to modern times.

The course will look at selected areas of political and legal philosophy, including natural law theory, liberalism, conservatism, socialism, anarchism, and totalitarian ideologies. The relationship between political thought and legal systems will also be covered.

The course is designed for students interested in understanding how key political and legal doctrines have evolved and shaped modern societies. Other students with an interest in the subject are also welcome to attend.

📘Political and Legal Doctrines

✨ This course gives a general overview of how people have thought about politics and law through the ages.

➡️ You’ll get to know the ideas of Plato, Aristotle, Locke, Rousseau, Marx and many others — thinkers who changed how we understand power ⚖️, freedom 🕊️ and society 🌍.

🧭 We’ll look at selected areas of political thought:

• 💡 Liberalism – freedom and individual rights

• 🛡️ Conservatism – tradition and order

• 🤝 Socialism – equality and community

• 🔥 Anarchism – no rulers, full freedom

• ⚠️ Totalitarian ideas – when power goes too far

🔗 The relationship between political ideas and legal systems will also be covered — you’ll see how theory turns into real laws and governments.

🎓 The course is designed for students who want to understand where modern political ideas come from and how they still shape today’s world.

🙌 Others with an interest in history, politics, or law are also welcome to join!

Logic for Lawyers

Studying at UMK was definitely a good decision. One of the most inspiring courses has been Logic for Lawyers. We believe that it is a key subject for understanding law. This course guides students through the structure of the logical layers of legal acts and documents. Future lawyers learn how logical frameworks serve as the foundation for decision-making and argument analysis.

It is the only subject here that contains elements of mathematics, making it perfect for students who are good at science. As the name suggests, it develops logical thinking skills. After completing this course, you will be able to translate real-world problems into logical representations and analyze legal acts at a deeper level. It is mainly aimed at students interested in IT law, legislation, or careers in the constitutional judiciary, as well as anyone who wants to excel in the legal profession.

At our faculty, Logic for Lawyers is taught by highly experienced professionals who ensure that the course includes both theoretical knowledge and practical training. You will likely learn most of the material during classes, so there will not be much additional work to do at home.

Logic for Lawyers 🧠⚖️

Studying at UMK was honestly one of the best choices we’ve made 🎓💙 And if we had to pick one course that really surprised us in the best way, it would be Logic for Lawyers. If you’ve ever wondered how lawyers actually think — not just what laws say, but how arguments are built — this is where it all starts 💡👀

This course shows the “behind-the-scenes” logic of law:

how legal acts are structured 📚, how arguments are built 🧩, and how logic shapes real decisions in the legal world ⚖️💭

What’s really cool? It’s the only course here that brings math-style thinking into law ➕➖📐 So if you like problem-solving, breaking things down step-by-step, or you’re just good at science — this one’s for you 🔥🤓

By the end, you’ll know how to turn real-life problems into logical models and analyze legal acts like a pro 🚀 You’ll be ready for paths like IT law 💻⚖️, legislation 🏛️, or even big dreams like working at the Constitutional Tribunal someday 👩‍⚖️⭐ But honestly — these skills help in any legal career.

And the lecturers? Amazing 🙌 Super experienced and great at showing how logic works in practice, not just theory. Plus — most learning happens in class, so no massive homework piles waiting for you 😌📆✨

If you want a course that sharpens your mind, boosts your confidence, and gives you a real advantage as a future lawyer 🎯⚖️💪 — Logic for Lawyers is definitely worth it.

ROMAN LAW

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to Roman law, one of the core and most demanding subjects in the first year of legal studies. The course covers the origins and historical development of Roman law, its principal sources, and the fundamental legal institutions, including property, obligations, inheritance, and liability.

The course aims to illustrate the relationship between Roman law and contemporary civil law systems, as well as the influence of Roman law on the development of the European legal traditions.

The course includes lectures and tutorials, combining theoretical explanations  with practical case analyses. The course concludes with a written examination designed to test the students’ understanding of terminology, institutions, and their ability to apply Roman legal reasoning to specific examples.

⚖️ Welcome to the World of Roman Law!

This is your first real step into the world of law! 🏛️
In this course, you’ll dive into the foundations of Roman law – one of the most important (and yes, sometimes challenging 😉) subjects in your first year of legal studies.

🕰️ Where Did Roman Law Come From?

You’ll discover:how and where Roman law was born, how it developed through history,and what its main sources were (like the Corpus Iuris Civilis 📜).

⚖️ Key Legal Concepts You’ll Explore:

• Property and ownership 🏠

• Obligations 💬 (who owes what — and why)

• Inheritance 👑

• Liability and responsibility ⚡

💡 Why It Matters:

Roman law is the foundation of modern civil law systems.
Its ideas still shape European legal traditions today — and the way lawyers think about justice and fairness 📘.

🎓 How the Course Works:

• Lectures 🧠 – learn the theory, history, and principles of Roman law.

• Tutorials 🏛️ – work on real case studies and think like a true Roman lawyer! ⚔️

✍️ At the End:

You’ll take a written exam testing your:

• understanding of main terms and institutions,

• ability to apply Roman legal reasoning to real-life examples.