Comparative Constitutional Systems

The course aims to provide students with a comparative understanding of the historical origins, development and specific functioning of the constitutional systems of contemporary democracies.
The course will cover the main constitutional transformations in "stable democracies" (the UK, the USA, France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, etc.) also with regard to trends of supranational integration, and examine how this democratic constitutional heritage is circulated, developed and "adapted" in countries that are culturally distant from the historical roots of constitutionalism (young, fragile and "illiberal" democracies, including EU candidate countries).
This comparative law method is combined with the teaching of historical and political contexts in keeping with the multidisciplinary nature of the degree programme.

Upon completion of the course, students will have a firm grasp of the constitutional dynamics of contemporary democracies, particularly within Euro-Atlantic constitutional systems.
By taking part in classroom learning, including focused group work that encourages the independent sourcing of legislation, case law and legal doctrine, students will also learn to apply the comparative law methodology, to critically analyse the political and institutional dynamics at play in the countries studied and to explain what they have learned, both orally and in writing, using subject-specific terminology.
These skills will allow students to independently explore further constitutional arrangements in their subsequent educational and professional development, including those not directly taught during the course.