legal history
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legal history
The academic discipline that deals with the historical development of law, laws, and legal systems.
Im Studium der Rechtsgeschichte lernen wir, wie sich Gesetze über die Jahrhunderte verändert haben.
In the study of legal history, we learn how laws have changed over the centuries.
The word is composed of 'Recht' (law) and 'Geschichte' (history). The 's' in the middle is a linking -s that connects the two parts. So the meaning is literally the 'Geschichte des Rechts' (history of law).
Die Rechtsgeschichte zeigt, wie sich unsere Auffassung von Gerechtigkeit verändert hat.
Legal history shows how our understanding of justice has changed.
The two meanings can be recognized from context. If people are speaking generally about a field of study, the academic discipline is meant. If they refer to the development of a specific law, often with a genitive complement, the concrete history is meant.
Er hat sich für das Seminar in mittelalterlicher Rechtsgeschichte eingeschrieben.
He enrolled in the seminar on medieval legal history.
This meaning is used almost exclusively in academic and university settings. Typical combinations are 'Rechtsgeschichte studieren' (to study legal history), 'eine Vorlesung in Rechtsgeschichte besuchen' (to attend a lecture in legal history), or 'ein Professor für Rechtsgeschichte' (a professor of legal history).
Meine Schwester studiert Rechtsgeschichte an der Universität in Berlin.
My sister studies legal history at the university in Berlin.
legal studies
'Rechtswissenschaft' and 'Rechtsgeschichte' both belong to the field of law and can be researched or studied at a university. 'Rechtswissenschaft' is the more general term for the academic study of law, laws, and their application. 'Rechtsgeschichte' is more specific: it asks how law, laws, or particular legal rules have developed over time. Learners may confuse the words because both sound academic and have to do with law. When the topic is law or legal studies in general, 'Rechtswissenschaft' fits. When the past and development of law are important, 'Rechtsgeschichte' fits.
Im Seminar untersucht die Gruppe die Rechtsgeschichte des Arbeitsrechts.
In the seminar, the group examines the legal history of labor law.
Nach dem Abitur möchte Sofia Rechtswissenschaft studieren.
After graduating from high school, Sofia wants to study law.