Research subject History of Law
History of Laws is a scientific discipline that studies the historical development of law. It is a subject of paramount importance for understanding different legal cultures, the emergence of the modern legal profession and why law looks the way it does today.
History of Laws is a subject that - by placing law in a wider context (chronological, international, philosophical and political) - provides knowledge and understanding of the development and current existence of law. Although the source material may occasionally be shared with other academic disciplines - historians, philosophers and philologists, to name a few - the driving force behind the research and teaching carried out by legal scholars at Stockholm University is that the subject should be perceived as a legal discipline, as is evident from both the choice of method and the aim.
Often, research in legal history is based on the study of current law, which is given an additional dimension by being seen in the light of legal thought of earlier times (historical-comparative, or legal-genetic method). In this way, the subject can contribute in-depth knowledge of important contemporary issues such as integration, freedom of expression, the right of cohabitation, child labour, copyright, religious law and labour law. Other important fields of research are the history of jurisprudence and legal methodology.
Related research subject
Law
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Researchers
Claes Peterson
Professor i rättshistoria
Marie Elisabet Sandström
Professor i rättshistoria
Filippo Valguarnera
Universitetslektor
Annelie Gunnerstad
Adjunkt
Andreas Knutsson
Doktorand i rättshistoria
Courses and programmes
Doctoral studies
If you want to further immerse yourself in legal science, and in particular within the field of history of law, apply for doctoral studies at the Department of Law. We offer a dynamic environment with research of the highest class and of strong international character.
Departments and centres
Departments
By offering a wide range of academic programmes in law bringing together researchers, teachers and students from different horizons, the Department of Law at Stockholm University creates strong and stimulating educational and research environments of the highest class.
Department of Law