African Legal Studies

Responsible Institution

Chair of African Legal Studies

Content

The course provides an indepth introduction to the African human rights system. It examines the legal and institutional framework that makes up the regional protection of human rights within the African Union as well as laying out the contours of its monitoring system. Different themes relating to implementation, children, refugees, women, LGBTI and access to information are further explored and supplement this area of the law.

Educational objective

The aim of the course is to provide a critical examination of the structures and processes of the African regional systems for the promotion and protection of human rights. After undertaking this course, students should be able to competently articulate the role of African institutions in the protection of human rights on the continent. In particular, students should be able to examine and give fair account to questions such as "How fit for purpose are the principles and processes enshrined in the documents for African polities?".

Practical application of the law

Additional benefits obtained through studying this course are the transferable skills both academically and through a practical application of the law. The course will give you the opportunity to address the development of the legal rules dealing with contract and tort law and will provide you with the skills needed for both an academic and employment environment whilst considering the materials and engaging with the activities. For example, you will undertake some short activities which are linked to specific materials and this in turn supports the growth of personal skills such as communication skills, research skills, information technology skills, problem solving skills.

Requirements

This course does not have prerequisites

Day/Time/E-Learning

(See CM Life)

Workload

The class is structured as a reading seminar in which all participants prepare certain articles to be discussed each week. In addition to preparing the articles, each student should give a lecture during the semester on a topic of his/her choice. It is possible to take an oral or a written examination.

The class itself is 2 hours per week.

ECTS

Depending on the program:

• Law as a side subject: 2
• Others: 3 (participation only)/ 5 (participation and oral or written exam)
• Exam for Fremdsprachenausbildung  § 24 Abs. 2 JAPO possible
• Potential part of International Legal Studies

Responsible Institution

Chair of African Legal Studies

 
Content

This Einfaches Seminar focuses on key emerging legal issues in Africa. A number of topics ranging from human rights, sustainability governance, regional integration, constitutionalism and comparative law topics will be decided by the Chair and students will pick from the list of topics offered. The seminar is structured around introductory lectures on African legal issues, which focus on the role of law and legal institutions in resolving some pressing needs of state-making. Feedback sessions to aid the development and writing of the seminar papers are scheduled midway through the project.

Educational objective

The course provides students the opportunity to examine a legal issue of current importance in Africa in a more detailed fashion through self-directed study.

Practical application of the law

Additional benefits obtained through studying this course are the transferable skills both academically and through a practical application of the law. The course will give you the opportunity to address the development of the legal rules in international environmental law and human rights and will provide you with the skills needed for both an academic and employment environment whilst considering the materials and engaging with the activities. The course will enhance your research skills, information technology skills, and problem-solving skills.

Requirements

This course does not have prerequisites

Day/Time/E-Learning

(See CM Life)

Workload

The individual process of writing a seminar paper is accompanied by introductory lectures, feedback sessions and final presentations of the papers. The in-class sessions aggregate around 25 hours which will be topped up by preparing the paper.

ECTS

Depending on the program:

• Law as a side subject: 5 (writing a seminar paper) + 2 (attending the in-class sessions)
• Lawyers and others: 6
• Potential part of International Legal Studies

Responsible Institution

Chair of African Legal Studies

 
Content

This comparative law course introduces students to the constitutional law of selected African countries. The module combines thematic discussions of a variety of constitutional systems, ways of making and unmaking constitutions and the politics behind key constitutional moments. Running themes throughout the course will include: the interplay between constitutional law and politics and between constitutional and international law, tensions between constitutionalism and democracy, constitutions as documents enshrining fundamental values versus entrenching political compromise, and constitutions as the basis for the empowerment versus the suppression of citizens.

Educational objective

The course provides an overview of the key constitutional moments and the role of citizens and legal institutions in the making of constitutional law. It serves to introduce students to the exciting development of constitutional law and adjudication in selected African jurisdictions.

Practical application of the law

Additional benefits obtained through studying this course are the transferable skills both academically and through a practical application of the law. The course will give you the opportunity to address the development of the legal rules dealing in English common law and will provide you with the skills needed for both an academic and employment environment whilst considering the materials and engaging with the activities. For example, you will undertake some short activities which are linked to specific materials and this in turn supports the growth of personal skills such as communication skills, research skills, information technology skills, problem solving skills.

Requirements

This course does not have prerequisites

Day/Time/E-Learning

(See CM Life)

Workload

The class is structured as a reading seminar in which all participants prepare certain articles or court decisions to be discussed each week. In addition to preparing the articles, each student should give a lecture during the semester on a topic of their choice. It is possible to take an oral or a written examination.

The class itself is 2 hours per week.

ECTS

Depending on the program:

• Law as a side subject: 2
• Others: 3 (participation only)/ 5 (participation and oral or written exam)
• Exam for Fremdsprachenausbildung  § 24 Abs. 2 JAPO possible
• Potential part of International Legal Studies

Responsible Institution

Chair of African Legal Studies

 
Content

This Einfaches Seminar focuses on the possibilities available in international environmental law and human rights to seek just and equitable outcomes for communities in the Global South for damage resulting from climate change. A range of topics within this broader area of study will be decided by the Chair and students will pick from the list of topics offered. The seminar is structured around introductory lectures on climate justice which focus on recent developments on the topic. Feedback sessions to aid the development and writing of the seminar papers are scheduled midway through the project.

Educational objective

The course provides students the opportunity to look at an issue of climate change in the global South in more detailed manner through self-reflection and self-directed study.

Practical application of the law

Additional benefits obtained through studying this course are the transferable skills both academically and through a practical application of the law. The course will give you the opportunity to address the development of the legal rules in international environmental law and human rights and will provide you with the skills needed for both an academic and employment environment whilst considering the materials and engaging with the activities. The course will enhance your research skills, information technology skills, and problem-solving skills.

Day/Time/E-Learning

(See CM Life)

Workload

The individual process of writing a seminar paper is accompanied by introductory lectures, feedback sessions and final presentations of the papers. The in-class sessions aggregate around 25 hours which will be topped up by preparing the paper.

ECTS

Depending on the program:

• Law as a side subject: 5 (writing a seminar paper) + 2 (attending the in-class sessions)
• Lawyers and others: 6
• Potential part of International Legal Studies

Responsible Institution

Chair of African Legal Studies

 
Content

This course introduces students to the legal systems of African countries. The relationship between indigenous legal systems, legal systems received during colonialism, and international law are examined through the study of key topics such as dispute settlement, access to justice, human rights, good governance and regional integration. A running theme throughout the course will be Africa’s contribution and place in the global legal order.

Educational objective

The course provides an overview of the key characteristics of African legal systems and of the current issues facing legal institutions within African jurisdictions. It serves to introduce students to some key topics that arise in legally pluralistic jurisdictions.

Practical application of the law

Additional benefits obtained through studying this course are the transferable skills both academically and through a practical application of the law. The course will give you the opportunity to address the development of the legal rules dealing in African jurisdictions and will provide you with the skills needed for both an academic and employment environment whilst considering the materials and engaging with the activities. For example, you will undertake some short activities, which are linked to specific materials, and this in turn supports the growth of personal skills such as communication skills, research skills, information technology skills, problem-solving skills.

Requirements

This course does not have prerequisites

Day/Time/E-Learning

(See CM Life)

Workload

The class is structured as a reading seminar in which all participants prepare certain articles to be discussed each week. In addition to preparing the articles, each student should give a lecture during the semester on a topic of their choice. It is possible to take an oral or a written examination.

The class itself is 2 hours per week.

ECTS

Depending on the program:

• Law as a side subject: 2
• Others: 3 (participation only)/ 5 (participation and oral or written exam)
• Exam for Fremdsprachenausbildung  § 24 Abs. 2 JAPO possible
• Potential part of International Legal Studies