When asked what the most important takeaway from his studies in Chicago was, Dr. Jurgis Bartkus highlights interdisciplinarity. The academic environment at the University of Chicago encourages students not to limit themselves to a single field of science and to constantly seek connections between different disciplines.

According to him, whether you are a lawyer, a mathematician, a literary scholar, or a political scientist, insights from other disciplines are not only useful but often essential in professional practice. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of complex phenomena and helps find solutions at the intersection of law, politics, economics, and public interest.

The US Legal System and a Comparative Perspective

A major part of his studies in Chicago involved a comprehensive understanding of the US legal system. It features a complex, multifaceted structure that differs sharply from the continental European legal tradition.

The knowledge he gained allows him to not only better understand the US legal system but also to compare it with the Lithuanian legal system—analyzing differences, commonalities, and what these systems could adopt from each other.

What is Worth Transferring from US Academic Culture to Lithuania?

His study experience fundamentally changed Dr. Jurgis Bartkus’s approach to teaching as well. US law schools widely apply the Socratic method, which is based on dialogue and a continuous question-and-answer process. The essence of this method is not the direct delivery of material, but rather encouraging students to think, argue, and draw conclusions for themselves.

Whenever possible, Dr. Jurgis Bartkus applies this method at the Faculty of Law at Vilnius University, aiming to develop students’ critical thinking and engagement in academic dialogue.

“It seems to me that the essence of a university is not to transfer as much information as possible. It is far more important to teach how to ask questions, to doubt, and to look for arguments. My studies at the University of Chicago clearly showed that learning does not begin with answers, but with an ongoing dialogue—between different disciplines, between student and lecturer, and between different points of view. This is exactly the kind of academic relationship I would most like to see in Lithuania,” says Jurgis Bartkus.

Summarizing his experience, Dr. Jurgis Bartkus emphasizes that education in US law schools is often perceived not as a formal obligation, but as an intellectual challenge accepted by both the student and the lecturer.

He wishes for this kind of attitude in Lithuania’s education and justice systems too—more intellectual courage, more open dialogue, and a willingness to raise complex questions, even if the answers are not always simple or comfortable.

In the Vilnius University Faculty of Law podcast “TeisėTALK”, Dr. Jurgis Bartkus discusses the common law tradition with J. Baltrimas and S. Granskas. The conversation covers his study experiences abroad, differences in learning methods, academic dynamics, and the questions raised by students. It also examines the differences and commonalities between the continental and common law traditions, and features recommendations on books and films that best reflect the US legal mindset.

You are invited to listen to the recording HERE.

About the MJJ Foundation Knowledge Scholarship

The MJJ Foundation Knowledge Scholarship program is designed for individuals who connect their studies and academic experiences at the world’s best universities with long-term value for Lithuania. Recipients of this scholarship not only deepen their professional knowledge but also return with new ideas, mindsets, and practices that they apply to academic, public, or professional activities in Lithuania.

More information can be found at: https://mjjfondas.lt/kryptys/zinios/