2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LAW1255 European Constitutional Systems

10 creditsClass Size: 27

Module manager: Dr Chloe Wallace
Email: C.J.Wallace@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Pre-requisite qualifications

A-level or equivalent in French, German or Spanish

Module replaces

LAW1250 French Public Law

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module introduces students to the constitutional systems of three major European countries: France, Germany and Spain. It is suitable for students who have an interest in one or more of those countries and who have A level standard in one of the languages concerned.

Objectives

The objective of this module is to introduce the constitutional systems of three major European countries: France, Germany and Spain. It will consider the institutional and territorial organisation of these states, the processes by which constitutional rules are enforced and contemporary fundamental rights debates. As well as introducing the systems separately, a comparative dimension will be included to enable students to understand the diversity of constitutional systems and their relationships with cultural and historical context.

The module is compulsory for students on the LLBs in Law with French Law, Law with German Law and Law with Hispanic Law. In the context of those programmes, it will provide an introduction to the constitutional context in which those legal systems operate and introduce students to the idea and practice of legal diversity.

Learning outcomes
At the end of this module, students will have had the opportunity to:
- understand some basic principles of constitutional organisation in France, Germany and Spain;
- understand some contemporary aspects of human rights debates in France, Germany and Spain;
- develop their constitutional and political vocabulary in French, German or Spanish.

Syllabus

Governance structures in France, Germany and Spain
State organisation in France, Germany and Spain: regionalism, federalism and devolution
Different approaches to constitutional judicial review in France, Germany and Spain
Some contemporary fundamental rights debates in France, Germany and Spain

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Seminar	10	1.50	15.00
Private study hours			85.00
Total Contact hours			15.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

A formative assessment opportunity will be provided.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	1000 word OpEd	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 18/07/2023 14:06:33

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