In the winter term 2026/2027, Professors Kirstin Drenkhahn, Andreas Engert, and Bertram Lomfeld offer a new seminar in Empirical Legal Studies: Author Meets Critics.

Legal arguments often rest on assumptions about human behavior, social reality, or the working of the legal system. Empirical legal studies (ELS) tests such assumptions—whether by measuring the effect of legal rules, comparing "law in action" with "law on the books", or examining how the legal system interacts with power and social inequality. The seminar offers a hands-on introduction to quantitative and qualitative methods by analyzing current contributions to ELS and discussing them with their authors.

Each paper is discussed in two sessions: first, the instructors introduce its background, motivation, and methodology; then the author presents the work and "meets her critics"—the seminar participants.

Credits: "Thematische Vertiefung" and "Fremdsprachenkompetenz A" or "B" (state examination program). Exchange students may take the course for credit. Students of the Master of Business Law (MBL) may participate as guests or, upon special admission, enroll in the "Thematische Vertiefung" module. Guests are welcome. Up to 18 students are admitted for credit; priority goes to students in "Thematische Vertiefung" and exchange students.

Language: English. No prior knowledge of empirical methods is required.

Time and place: Wednesday, 4:15–5:45pm, Boltzmannstr. 3, room 3302; first session: October 14, 2026

Registration: Please email Ms. Jenichen (sekrengert@zedat.fu-berlin.de) with your full name, student ID number, and desired module (or "guest" status).