Spring 2013
    Law No.: LAW9174
    Sched. No.: 113210208

Comparative Constitutional Design*
Section 1
X
Versteeg, Emiliana M.



Administrative Information:
During SIS enrollment, check on SIS for real-time enrollment numbers
Days, Times (Room):F, 1300-1500 (WB127)
Credits:3Type:Seminar
Capacity:16 **This information is current as of 06/12/2013 06:17:57 AM**
Current Enrollment:13 **This information is current as of 06/12/2013 06:17:57 AM**
Syllabus: View Syllabus (requires LawWeb account)



Course Description:

In this seminar, we explore the considerations and challenges in designing a constitution. We will focus on the “hard-wired” aspects of a constitution – that is, its institutional or structural components – not its interpretation per se. So, for example, we ask how and to what effect constitutional drafters design things like rights, federalism, and the relationship between executives and legislatures, rather than puzzle over the nuances of the text of the American founders and its application.

The first part of this seminar draws on leading theories in political science and political theory to explore the origins of constitutions: why do countries adopt written constitutions? And why do they opt for some arrangements and not others?

The second part of the seminar explores different substantive constitutional design topics, or the different ways in which constitutions deal with rights, checks and balances, federalism and the protection of ethnic minorities.

The last part of the seminar addresses potential implications of constitutional design choices. We draw on interdisciplinary research to explore an important puzzle in constitutional design: why do governments comply with their constitutional commitments? And to what extent can design aid compliance?

Throughout the course, we will draw on real-world examples and consider the constitutional arrangements of different countries, including (but not limited to): Iceland, South Africa, Ecuador, France and the commonwealth countries.

COURSE REQUIREMENT: A substantial research paper

This course is on the approved upper-level writing requirement course list.