LL4L6      Half Unit
Theory of Constitutional Rights

This information is for the 2023/24 session.

Teacher responsible

Professor Kai Möller

Availability

This course is available on the LLM (extended part-time), LLM (full-time), MSc in Human Rights and University of Pennsylvania Law School LLM Visiting Students. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Some knowledge of human or constitutional rights law of any jurisdiction may be helpful, but is not essential. A knowledge of philosophy is not required.

This course has a limited number of places and demand is typically high. This may mean that you’re not able to get a place on this course.

Course content

The course will provide an introduction to the theory of constitutional rights. The emphasis is on a combination of law and theory; to this end, each seminar will rely on a mixture of cases from various jurisdictions and theoretical and philosophical materials. Topics to be discussed will include: Robert Alexy's Theory of Rights as Principles; Ronald Dworkin's Theory of Rights as Trumps; The Debate about Proportionality; Absolute Rights; The Justifiability of Judicial Review; The Culture of Justification and the Right to Justification.

Teaching

20 hours of seminars in the AT. 2 hours of seminars in the ST.

There will be a Reading Week in Week 6. 

Formative coursework

One 2,000 word essay.

Indicative reading

The course will rely on both cases from various jurisdictions and articles and book chapters from authors including Ronald Dworkin, Robert Alexy, Mattias Kumm, Jeremy Waldron and Frances Kamm.

Assessment

Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours, reading time: 15 minutes) in the spring exam period.

Key facts

Department: Law School

Total students 2022/23: 18

Average class size 2022/23: 18

Controlled access 2022/23: Yes

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Communication
  • Specialist skills