Course title
S24460002
Civil Law

HONDA Mari Click to show questionnaire result at 2019
Middle-level Diploma Policy (mDP)
Program / Major mDP Goals
Department of Architecture 3. 3.自然科学や人文社会科学に関する知識を援用して、建築にかかわるさまざまな事象を論理的に説明することができる
Department of Architecture 5. 5.豊富な教養と専門知識を統合、駆使して、種々の制約条件や解決するべき課題を整理・分析し、合理的な方法によって建築をデザインすることができる
Purpose of class
Through specific cases, the course aims to help students reflect on the significance, fundamental principles, contents, application, and so on of the Civil Code.
Course description
Civil law is the norm (rule) in civil society and provides contracts for sales, tort, damage, family, and so on, as private law for relationships in life among people. The Civil Code of Japan was enacted more than 100 years ago, and is frequently revised, not only in property law but also in family law, along with social changes. This course is placed between the course “Introduction to Jurisprudence” and the course “Intellectual Property Law.”

* The first session, as well as the midterm and final exam sessions, will be conducted face-to-face.

Toyosu: Spring/Fall, Thursday 2nd period
Goals and objectives
  1. To obtain and apply general knowledge (technical terms) about civil law
  2. To be aware of the Civil Code that provides for rules of daily life and to think voluntarily about problems that occur in society
  3. To understand and explain the process of legislation (enactment and revision), interpretation, application, relevant cases, and so on
  4. To understand and explain the basic principles of property law and their amendments and basic principles of family law
  5. To learn and apply a way of thinking that is balance between the parties concerned, remedy of the aggrieved party, and protection for reliance of the other party and the third party (security of trade)
Relationship between 'Goals and Objectives' and 'Course Outcomes'

Submission of Documents, etc. Midterm Examination Final Examination Total.
1. 8% 6% 6% 20%
2. 8% 6% 6% 20%
3. 8% 6% 6% 20%
4. 8% 6% 6% 20%
5. 8% 6% 6% 20%
Total. 40% 30% 30% -
Evaluation method and criteria
The allocation of the overall grade for this course is presented below:
・Submission of Documents, etc.: 40%
・Midterm Examination: 30%
・Final Examination: 30%
To pass the course, students must earn at least 60 points of 100. Students can score 60 points or more if they can state their opinions and answer questions in assignments and the examinations, about the topics discussed in class and key topics in the textbook.
Students are required to attend at least two-thirds of the total number of classes. If this requirement is not fulfilled, credit will not be awarded.
Language
Japanese
Class schedule

Class schedule HW assignments (Including preparation and review of the class.) Amount of Time Required
1. Guidance

What kind of law is “Civil Code”?
Confirm the syllabus and the precautions 60minutes
Read [Textbook]
Chapter 1
70minutes
2. Person and Thing Part 1: General Provisions
Chapter 2 - Chapter 4
120minutes
3. Legal Act
Agency

Conditions, Time Limits, Computation of Period of Time and Prescription
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
90minutes
Chapter 7 30minutes
4. What kind of rights are Real Rights? Part 2: Real Rights
Chapter 8 - Chapter 11
120minutes
5. What kind of rights are claims?
Effects of Claims
Claims and Obligations with Multiple-Parties
Extinction of Claims
Part 3: Claims
Chapter 12 - Chapter 13
80minutes
Chapter 14
Chapter 16
40minutes
6. What is a Contract? Chapter 17 120minutes
7. Contracts [continuation]
Gifts, Sale and Exchange
Loans for Consumption, Loans for Use and Leases
Employment, Contracts for Work, Mandates, Bailment and other Contracts
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
120minutes
Chapter 20
8. Midterm Examination
Post-examination Discussion

Benevolent Intervention in Another’s Business and Unjust Enrichment
Coverage: Property Law (General Provisions of Civil Code, Real Rights and Claims [General Provisions of Claims, Contract]) 570minutes
Chapter 21 30minutes
9. Tort Chapter 22 120minutes
10. What is Family Law?

Marriage and Divorce
Part 4: Relatives and Inheritance
Chapter 23
60minutes
Chapter 24 60minutes
11. Parent and Child Chapter 25 120minutes
12. Heir and Effect of Inheritance
Acceptance and Renunciation of Inheritance and Nonexistence of Heir

Wills and Legally Reserved Portion
Rights of Residence for Spouse
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
60minutes
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
60minutes
13. Final Examination
Post-examination Discussion
Coverage: Property Law (Claims [Benevolent Intervention in Another’s Business, Unjust Enrichment and Tort]), Family Law (Relatives and Inheritance) 600minutes
14. Preparation for a Paper:
Have a group discussion

Conclusion
Confirm the handout 120minutes
Total. - - 2650minutes
Feedback on exams, assignments, etc.
ways of feedback specific contents about "Other"
Feedback in/outside the class. Listen carefully to the lecturer's explanations.
Textbooks and reference materials
Textbook: Takaaki Matsubara, Shinichi Horikawa, Minpô nyûmon 0, Shôgakusha, 2022.

Reference materials: Compendium of Laws (the latest version)
Introduced during class.

Reference URL: Civil Code
https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/129AC0000000089
Prerequisites
・Please be aware of problems in daily life with relevance to the civil law.
・Please read the syllabus and attend the first class.
・Please prepare an Internet-capable (Wi-Fi-enabled) laptop. On ScombZ, handouts will be distributed and quizzes, etc. will be given.
Office hours and How to contact professors for questions
  • In spare time after class
  • Office hours:
    Toyosu: Friday 12:40−13:20 Lecturer’s Room (04M25)
    It is desirable to make an appointment by e-mail.
Regionally-oriented
Non-regionally-oriented course
Development of social and professional independence
  • Course that cultivates an ability for utilizing knowledge
Active-learning course
More than one class is interactive
Course by professor with work experience
Work experience Work experience and relevance to the course content if applicable
N/A N/A
Education related SDGs:the Sustainable Development Goals
  • 3.GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
  • 4.QUALITY EDUCATION
  • 10.REDUCED INEQUALITIES
  • 16.PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
Last modified : Sat Mar 14 14:05:28 JST 2026