4 Interesting Modules of Law at the University of Helsinki
by Ria Mair, University of Helsinki, Finland
1. Animal Law
I was excited to study this module since it was a specific area of law that I had not come across at the University of Manchester. ‘Animal law’ covered the main theories and approaches of animal law; local, regional and international regulation; and future prospects.
There were many political aspects to this course, following the increase in practices such as animal testing and environmental issues like climate change. A lot of the theories regarding animal rights are linked to human rights, such as the topic of ‘sentience’, discussing where the line is drawn between beings, or the capabilities approach, which concerns the well-being and needs of animals.
For half of the examination, I wrote an essay criticising the EU animal welfare jurisdiction, and for the other half, I partook in a class debate by acting as a member of an NGO arguing for the protection of a certain animal group. It was a nerve-wracking but confidence-building experience to debate, and it helped retain the subject knowledge through application.
Overall, this module allowed me to delve deeper into understanding animals’ rights, an integral part of Finnish culture.
2. Crime, Cinema and the Culture of Control
The objective of this course was to familiarise myself with a variety of sources that deal with crime and the criminal justice system in a cultural context; to heighten my awareness of the social and political contexts in which the criminal justice system operates; and to enhance my ability to critically assess the functions of the criminal justice system.
During this module, a lot of the learning focused on the relationship between crime and culture as part of the social framework. To support this, my learning began with understanding the theoretical basis of ‘penology’, which aided my final paper and understanding of the subject. An enjoyable aspect of this module was that the lectures involved a combination of analysis and theory from the lecturer, and watching crime and the criminal justice system portrayed in film, to apply my learning. It was insightful to discuss how crime is depicted in cinema, and how this could potentially affect policy.
For my final essay, I decided to focus on the film ‘The Invisible Man’ (2020) and discuss specifically how crimes of domestic abuse and crimes against women are shown in film. Engaging in literature beyond legal journals and researching areas of criminology allowed my understanding of the criminal justice system to be broader. Much of the academia focused on the interactions of crime directly with applicants, and therefore gave me a realistic world view of the subject.
3. Gender and Law
My experience as a woman living in Finland differed from the UK, since Finns tend not to hold the same gender stereotypes that are more prevalent at home. So I was intrigued to study Gender and Law, particularly from a Finnish perspective. The course aimed at building knowledge on the law’s interaction with sex and gender; critical theory of gender and legal analysis; and my ability to carry out professional activities in the international environment.
I learned about the feminist legal theory, equality, the intersection of race and law and the public and private divide. It was fascinating to partake in class discussions about reproductive rights, working families issues and violence, since these are topics widely discussed in modern media.
I developed my confidence and public-speaking skills in the examination, which was a moot court class debate. I found myself taking a more well-rounded perspective on gender issues following this module.
4. EU Tax Law
Krogerus and EY pictured above.
Finally, I thoroughly enjoyed studying EU tax law in Helsinki, which focused on cross-border transactions and the economy of the EU, rather than my prior studies of UK law. This was my most interactive module since each lecture was hosted in a large law or tax firm, and taught my employees to give practical lectures on the topic.
As well as engaging in the course curriculum, I learned about the Finnish corporate culture, which appeared to be more formal than in the UK – based on my experience of insight days at law firms.
My study of law at the University of Helsinki overall was a pleasurable one, where I benefitted from delving into niche topics that I would not have the opportunity to at Manchester.
