Suspended in 2025/26
LL4L6 Half Unit
Theory of Constitutional Rights
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Prof Kai Moller
Availability
This course is available on the LLM (extended part-time), LLM (full-time), MSc in Human Rights, MSc in Law and Finance 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. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to apply: Priority will be given initially to LLM, MSc Regulation and MSc Law and Finance students on a first-come-first-served allocation.
Spaces permitting, requests from all other students will be processed on the same first-come-first-served allocation from 10am on Thursday 2 October 2025
By submitting an application, students are confirming that they meet any pre-requisites specified. Providing an additional written statement will not aid a student's chances of being accepted onto a course, and statements are not read.
Deadline for application: Not applicable
For queries contact: Law.llm@lse.ac.uk.
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
2 hours of seminars in the Spring Term.
20 hours of seminars in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
Formative assessment
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: 150 Minutes in the Spring exam period
Key facts
Department: LSE Law School
Course Study Period: Autumn and Spring Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 9
Average class size 2024/25: 9
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse 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