| CODE | PBL5050 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Comparative Constitutional Law | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Public Law | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-units discusses the main principles that inspire constitutional law. These comprise the separation of powers, the rule of law, and the supremacy of the constitution/parliament. The constitution is further discussed in the light of the independence of the judiciary. The study-unit also addresses the anonymity of the public service as well as collective and individual ministerial responsibility that are pertinent to the governance of a state. Other aspects introspected in this study-unit are the powers of the President and the inter-relationship between state organs. Finally, the public service is considered within the context of public finance. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit aims to discuss constitutional law from a comparative angle focusing primarily on the most important constitutional doctrines which are found, in differing degrees, in the constitutions of several States. It compares and contrasts these doctrines to determine how they are being applied in the Mediterranean region. It studies the main institutions of the State and the interaction between them. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: (a) identify the doctrines of the Constitution; (b) write upon the way constitutional doctrines are enshrined in Mediterranean States' Constitutions; (c) compare and contrast the similarities and differences between Mediterranean States' Constitutions; (d) discuss the relationship between the principal organs of the state. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: (a) critique Mediterranean States鈥� Constitutions by identifying their strengths and weaknesses; (b) appraise the constitutional principles enshrined in Mediterranean States' Constitutions; (c) assess the relationship between the various organs established by Mediterranean States' Constitutions; (d) rank Mediterranean State Constitutions in terms of compliance with the principle of good governance and recognition of the office of the Ombudsman. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main text: - Tom Ginsburg and Rosalind Dixon, 鈥淐omparative Constitutional Law鈥�, Cheltenham, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2012. Supplementary Reading: - Michel Rosenfeld and Andras Sajo, 鈥淭he Oxford Handbook of Comparative Constitutional Law鈥�, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2012. - Aalt Willem Herringa and Philipp kiiver, 鈥淐onstitutions Compared: An Introduction to Comparative Constitutional Law鈥�, third edition, Intersentia, 2012. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Fieldwork and Independent Study | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Kevin Aquilina |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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