legal studies
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legal studies
The academic discipline concerned with the interpretation, application, and systematic study of law. It is also known as jurisprudence or law.
Sie studiert Rechtswissenschaft an der Universität Heidelberg.
She is studying legal studies at Heidelberg University.
The word is made up of 'Rechts-' (a form of 'Recht' (law/right)) and 'Wissenschaft' (science/academic discipline). So it literally means 'the science of law.'
Die Rechtswissenschaft beschäftigt sich mit den Gesetzen einer Gesellschaft.
Legal studies deals with the laws of a society.
The most common and important combination is 'Rechtswissenschaft studieren' (to study law/legal studies). In this fixed expression, the word is used without an article.
Mein Bruder möchte nach dem Abitur Rechtswissenschaft studieren.
My brother wants to study law after finishing secondary school.
'Rechtswissenschaft' (legal studies) is the official and formal term for the university subject. In everyday university life and in colloquial language, the shorter word 'Jura' (law) is almost always used instead.
Auf dem Papier studiert er Rechtswissenschaft, aber alle seine Freunde sagen, er studiert Jura.
On paper he is studying legal studies, but all his friends say he is studying law.
right / law
'das Recht' and 'die Rechtswissenschaft' are both connected with laws and legal rules. 'das Recht' can mean the whole system of rules in a state, or also the subject that someone works with professionally. 'die Rechtswissenschaft' is more precise: it means the academic study of law, that is, studying and researching it. Learners may confuse the words because in everyday language people sometimes say: 'Sie studiert Recht' (She is studying law). More precisely, and a bit more formally, the subject is called 'Rechtswissenschaft' or 'Jura'.
Lisa studiert Rechtswissenschaft an der Universität.
Lisa is studying legal studies at the university.
Er interessiert sich für das Recht und möchte später Anwalt werden.
He is interested in law and wants to become a lawyer later.