Admission requirements
Required course(s):
- Sovereignty and Statehood
Description
Constitutions, such as the U.S. Constitution or the Dutch Grondwet, are the highest laws within their respective political communities. They establish the form of government, core institutions, and enshrine fundamental rights—in short, they constitute a polity in its essential characteristics. The idea of constitutionalism comes into play where constitutions successfully create a separation of powers, ensure democratic legitimacy, and foster a rule of law culture. A thorough knowledge of constitutions and constitutionalism is indispensable for working within any legal system.
Internationalization, globalization, decolonization, and in some parts of the world, regionalization, have also left their mark on constitutions and the idea of constitutionalism, and on the way we understand and use constitutional texts. This includes, fundamentally, the question whether states are the only entities capable of having constitutions.
This course traces the history of the idea of constitutional government, discusses essential elements and theories of constitutionalism, and analyses them in the context of contemporary forms of multilevel and multistakeholder governance. It takes students from the Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights, via modern national constitutions and regional integration projects from around the world to the UN Charter. The course, moreover, critically reflects on the usefulness of constitutionalism in a transnational environment marked by profound changes and transformations.
Course Objectives
After successful completion of the course, students are able to, in terms of knowledge:
Goal 1: describe the origins and evaluation of constitutional government, its essential elements and different forms;
Goal 2: explain central concepts, themes and theories within the field of constitutional law, including theories of “constitutionalism” and the role and functions of constitutional adjudication and review.
After successful completion of the course, students are able to, in terms of skills:
Goal 3: interpret constitutional texts and case law and use them to make “constitutional arguments”.
Goal 4: compare and classify different constitutions according to their content, legal tradition, and other core characteristics;
Goal 5: analyze various ways in which constitutions have been affected by processes of regional integration, internationalization, globalization, decolonization, and transnationalization.
Timetable
Timetables for courses offered at Leiden University College in 2023-2024 will be published on this page of the e-Prospectus.
Mode of instruction
The course uses a variety of teaching methods, including lecturing, class discussions and exercises, student-led debates, and legal case problems. Teaching materials include both primary sources (such as constitutional texts and court judgments) and secondary literature.
Assessment Method
General participation (including “knowledge check-ins” and reflections); Goals 1 and 2 (14%)
Constitutional debate leadership; Goals 2, 3, 4, and 5 (18% for the debate; 18% for the write-up)
“Paper pitch” on the topic of the case study; Goals 2, 3, 4, and 5 (10%)
Written case study essay; Goals 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 (40%)
Reading list
Course textbook to be acquired by students:
- Mark Tushnet, Advanced Introduction to Comparative Constitutional Law (2nd edition, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 2018), ISBN: 9781786437204
Course textbooks available online via Leiden Library:
Michel Rosenfeld and András Sajó (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Constitutional Law (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013)
Jeffrey Dunoff and Joel Trachtman (eds), Ruling the World? Constitutionalism, International Law, and Global Governance (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009)
Generally recommended readings and research resources (selection):
The book series Constitutional Systems of the World by Hart Publishing: https://www.bloomsburyprofessional.com/series/constitutional-systems-of-the-world/
Larry Alexander (ed), Constitutionalism: Philosophical Foundations (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998)
Rosalind Dixon and Tom Ginsburg (eds.), Comparative Constitutional Law in Latin America (Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 2017)
Berihun Adugna Gebeye, A Theory of African Constitutionalism (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021)
Aalt Willem Heringa, Constitutions Compared: An Introduction to Comparative Constitutional Law (6th edn, Antwerp: Intersentia, 2021)
Anthony F. Lang, Jr. and Antje Wiener (eds.), Handbook on Global Constitutionalism (Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 2017)
Daniel Bonilla Maldonado (ed), Constitutionalism of the Global South: The Activist Tribunals of India, South Africa, and Colombia (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 2013)
Kaarlo Tuori, European Constitutionalism (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 2013)
Mark Tushnet, Mark A. Graber, and Sanford Levinson (eds), The Oxford Handbook of the U.S. Constitution (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016)
Links to further compulsory readings and additional reading recommendations will be provided on Brightspace.
Registration
Courses offered at Leiden University College (LUC) are usually only open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Leiden University students who participate in one of the university’s Honours tracks or programmes may register for one LUC course, if availability permits. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator, course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.
Contact
Dr. J.E. Larik: j.e.larik@luc.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
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