Constitutional Law: State Structure

This constitutional law course covers the foundational articles of the federal U.S. Constitution. The course will focus on the state structure, including the separation of powers among the three branches of the state, the limited constitutional competencies of the federation compared to those of the fifty states, and the relationship of the fifty independent states to one another.  Although both the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States of America call themselves, “federations,” the concept is used in very different ways by the two countries. Students will learn how to research both primary and secondary sources in Constitutional law.

The course will be assessed by a written examination at the end of the term.

The language of instruction is English. Sufficient command of English is therefore recommended.

For CUSL students, this course fulfills the requirement of a mandatory course. CUSL students may take Constitutional Law: State Structure or Constitutional Law: Individual Rights to fulfill their mandatory course requirement. CUSL students may also take both constitutional law courses and count one as a required course and one as an elective course toward fulfillment of CUSL requirements.

Successful completion of this course is also recognized as proof of foreign language proficiency in accordance with §3(4) of the Study and Examination Regulations (StudPrO).