Comparative Constitutional Rights

This course explores topics in the emerging field of comparative constitutional rights.

We will begin with a comparative analysis of constitutional courts and judicial review. The rest of the course will be devoted to examining comparative approaches to constitutional rights. Specific topics include privacy, freedom of speech and religion, reproductive rights, socioeconomic rights, and equality issues relating to race, gender, and sexual orientation.  We will compare negative rights and positive rights as reflected in various constitutions. Throughout the course we will be assessing the nature of constitutionalism and the merits of the argument for universal human rights norms.  Evaluation will be based on an exam at the end of the semester.

 

Prerequisite: Constitutional Law I