JUS5930 – Comparative Public Law

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

This course provides a critical understanding of the main ideas, issues, trends and methods in the field of comparative public law.

It will present a survey of the major themes in comparative public law and compare leading legal families and traditions (Nordic, Romano, Germanic, Common law, among others) in the field of constitutional law and partly administrative and tax law. The course will also provide the students with both method and practice in comparative public law.

The main part of the course is dedicated to the study of the key legal and institutional features of constitution in a contextual comparative perspective. The students will also be introduced to constitutional and administrative judicial review and case law. The last part of the course will focus on recent trends and evolutions in a more international and European perspective.


For students enrolled in Rettsvitenskap (jus) (master - 5 år): Have you considered a specialization as part of your degree? The course is part of the profile Komparativ rett

Read more about profiles.

Learning outcome

See ‘Detailed course information’ regarding requirements and syllabus (on the semester webpage).

On completion of this course, the students should:

Knowledge

  • Understand the similarities and differences between leading (Western) constitutional traditions in key areas (sovereignty, separation of powers etc.).
  • Have an improved understanding of their own legal system.
  • Understand how the States studied have developed and applied constitutional principles, especially in the light of processes of globalization and democratization.
  • Understand the theoretical and practical issues surrounding the making and the amendment of constitutions.
  • Understand how the States studied have developed their administrative structure and how they solve the conflicts between the State and the citizens.

Skills

  • Be aware of the international and European contexts that frame and influence the States and their legal and administrative organisation.
  • Be familiar with the methodology of comparative public law.
  • Be able to use (constitutional & administrative) legal material from the States studied and to analyse and evaluate the relevance of this material in relation to their own legal system.

General competence

  • Be able to use comparative methods to deepen and enhance any legal analysis.

Admission

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisite knowledge

Students must fill one of these requirements:

  • Passed 1st - 3rd year of the 5-years degree Master of Laws (Master i rettsvitenskap at UiO) (or exams that qualify for exemption for these) or
  • Hold a 5-years Master’s degree in Laws (Master i rettsvitenskap at UiO) or equivalent.

Exemptions from the formal prerequisites will be given to students with admission to the faculty's own exchange or master’s degree programmes. This rule does not apply to students with admission to other master’s degree programmes at the University of Oslo, unless otherwise agreed.

Teaching

Lectures

Examination

Take-home exam. Duration: 3 weeks. Maximum word-length: 4000 words.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Marking criteria 

This  guide is used by examiners for grading this course.

Explanations and appeals

Resit an examination

Withdrawal from an examination

It is possible to take this exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.

There are special rules for resitting a passed examination in the master's programme in Law.

Special examination arrangements

Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.

Facts about this course

Credits
10
Level
Master
Teaching
Spring 2019
Examination
Spring 2019

This course is discontinued. Students who wish to take this course have the last opportunity spring 2019.  

Teaching language
English