Constitutional Challenges in the 21st Century

Faculteit—

NiveauBachelor

Studiejaar2026-2027

Beschrijving

Course goals

Upon completion of this course you:

have basic knowledge of core concepts of constitutional law, including separation of powers, multi-level governance, democracy, rule of law, ministerial accountability and judicial review;
are able to compare how principal issues of constitutional law are dealt with across jurisdictions;
are able to analyse case law and legal texts (including constitutional provisions and legislation) with a view to identifying differences and commonalities between legal arrangements in different jurisdictions

Relationship between course objectives and assignments

Paper 1-3
Presentation 1-3
Exam 1-3

Content

This course offers an introduction to the study of constitutional law. It does so by presenting core constitutional concepts (such as the rule of law, separation of powers and multi-level governance) and explaining how the constitutional set-up of a State enables it to address current societal challenges like the climate crisis, immigration, growing inequality and digitalisation. The constitutional concepts are introduced and explained through a comparative approach, using examples from jurisdictions in Europe and beyond, including the global South. The main question that will guide us throughout the course is how different constitutional arrangements both enable the exercise of public power (at State, supranational and subnational levels) and limit it, in order to protect individual freedom and fundamental rights.

The course starts off with an introduction into constitutional law and comparative methodology. In the weeks that follow we delve deeper into several main topics of constitutional law, whereby we get to know principal actors (Parliament, government and head of state, local and regional actors) and the composition and functions of the different branches of government (legislative, executive and judiciary). The following themes will be addressed:

            Theme 1 – Introduction and methodology
Theme 2 – Multi-level governance
            Theme 3 – Parliaments and elections
            Theme 4 – Lawmaking
            Theme 5 – The executive branch
            Theme 6 – Courts and judicial review
            Theme 7 – Human rights

Each of these themes will be studied in relation to different jurisdictions in the global North and South, permitting us to identify the differences and similarities between national (and supranational) systems. This will help us understand how, depending on the social and historical context, different constitutional arrangements may be called for to effectively address existing challenges, such as climate change, immigration, inequality and digitalisation, while upholding the rule of law.

Format

Class meetings are scheduled on Monday morning (11:00-12:45) and Wednesday morning (9:00-10:45). The course is divided into seven themes and every theme is covered in three consecutive class meetings. An overview of all class meetings can be found in the course schedule below.
Before the start of a new theme, a document will be posted on Blackboard containing a brief introduction, the learning objectives and an overview of the course materials to be studied. To prepare for the class, you are expected (1) to have read the course materials for each theme before the first class meeting tackling a specific theme (unless otherwise indicated). You are also expected (2) to have completed any preparatory assignment indicated on Blackboard (this can include writing a reflection paper, completing an assignment and/or doing some additional reading). Links for the submission of the preparation assignments will also appear on Blackboard.

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