Report on the seminar on law and economics from Susanne Kotz and Stephanie Roth

Seminar on the economic analysis of law in summer 2006

 

As last year Prof. Moellers from Augsburg University and Prof. Wendel from Pepperdine U, Malibu were heading the seminar. American students taking part in the summer program of Augsburg University as well as German law students participated in the seminar.

Beyond the general topic of the law and economics approach, the seminar covered a wide range of issues such as capital market law, labour law, antitrust law, environmental law and corporate law. We discussed topics of current interest such as the Microsoft case, the Kyoto protocol and dismissal protection in Germany and the U.S. The overall question to be answered by the students was whether the rules provided by German or American law take into account the economic rationality or efficiency – a topic mostly disregarded in law school´s curricula.

After handing in the papers we left for the beautiful island Fraueninsel in the Bavarian lake Chiemsee where we stayed for two and a half days at a scenic monestary. During daytime the seminar participants presented their written works to the group. In the follow-up vivid discussions evolved and sometimes even continued after the official hours. The non-native English speakers improved their English skills orally and in writing and were surprised to which degree they could express themselves in the foreign language. The presentations proved to be very interesting and time flew by.

At all times the group’s spirit was very cordial – not only between us students, but also between students and professors.

The fun part of the weekend was not to be neglected either: In the afternoon we had time to go for a swim in the lake and were happy to welcome both professors joining in the volleyball and soccer groups. At night we enjoyed the Bavarian Gemuetlichkeit at the Wirtshaus with a couple of beers. Especially we appreciated the open air feast starring a band in Lederhosen on Saturday night was very much. 

Special thanks to Axel Lebherz and Thomas Wenninger, academic assistants of Professor Moellers, for organizing this great weekend and not hesitating to join us for a beer at the very after hours.

After finishing the official part of the seminar on Sunday at lunch most of us chose to spend some more time on the island to soak up sun and the beautiful view of the Bavarian Alpssurrounding the lake.

After all, our advice to all upcoming students: don´t miss it!

Susanne Kotz and Stephanie Roth