Constitutional Challenges in Comparative Perspective (356-0-20)
Instructors
Galya Benarieh Ruffer
Office Hours: http://www.polisci.northwestern.edu/people/core-faculty/galya-ruffer.html
Meeting Info
Harris Hall L28: Mon, Wed 11:00AM - 12:20PM
Overview of class
In this course we will be thinking about how and whether constitutions shape national values and offer a framework for legitimacy and governance to hold together diverse societies and resolve deeply rooted social tensions and ethnic divisions. We will consider the constitutional responses of other democratic countries such as the U.S., Canada, India, France, Germany, Great Britain, South Africa and Australia to the challenges of capital crimes, right to life/abortion, terrorism, racism, gender disparities, religious discrimination. In learning about the varying traditions of written and unwritten constitutions, civil and common law and the foundations and structures of separation of powers and judicial review of the constitutionality of laws in these countries, students will learn to think critically about the U.S. Constitution and the different ways in which constitutional democracies provide for public order, counter-majoritarian governance, equality and protection of the rights of minorities through rule of law and question whether constitutional solutions can address the kinds of social and political problems we have today.
Class Materials (Required)
All materials will be available on Canvas
Class Attributes
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area