Comparative Constitutional Law

This course provides both grounding in the methodology of comparative constitutional law and experience in comparison between the two leading western constitutional traditions, the common law and the civil law systems. The comparison is conducted by reference to three key features of all constitutional arrangements: constitutional foundations (constitutions and constitutionalism); organization of power (separation of powers, parliamentary or presidential systems, unitary and federal states); rights of citizens (models of rights protection; judicial review). The course explores the extent to which law and history are essential to proper comparison and adequate understanding of constitutional systems.

Note that this course meets from August 21 to September 27, 2012.

Updated 2/12