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Latin American Constitutionalisms (LAWS70397)
Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5Not available in 2019
Overview
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Political, social and constitutional upheavals are currently in full swing in Latin America. What happens in Latin America produces flow-on effects in all regions of the globe. This subject offers a survey of the different models of democracy currently ‘competing’ in the region, and a consideration of how those models translate into different ‘models’ of constitutionalism. The subject offers an analysis of the current constitutional debate in Latin America, contextualising that debate within the history of constitutionalism in the region over the last two hundred years. The subject will relate the contemporary constitutional debate to global and regional debates about models of democracy and the impact of globalisation in constitutional law and practice. The subject will also focus on the role played by the Inter-American Human Rights System in both the constitutionalism and models of democracy debates.
Principal topics will include:
- Conceptions of ‘democracy’ and conceptions of ‘constitutionalism’ in contemporary Latin America
- Neo-liberal democracy, social democracy, radical democracy and populism in Latin America
- Historical perspectives on constitutionalism in Latin America
- The judicialisation of Latin American politics
- Global influences in Latin American constitutionalism
- The Inter-American Human Rights System and constitutionalism in Latin America
- Processes of constitution making in contemporary Latin America.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject should:
- Understand the relationship between conceptions of democracy and conceptions of constitutionalism.
- Have a basic knowledge of the state of democracy and constitutionalism in Latin America.
- Understand the relationship between globalization and domestic constitutionalism.
- Be familiar with the role played by regional human rights regimes (particularly that of Latin America) and national democratic and constitutional debates.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level. While every effort will be made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, concessions will not be made in the general level of instruction or assessment. Most subjects assume the knowledge usually acquired in a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent). Applicants should note that admission to some subjects in the Melbourne Law Masters will be dependent upon the individual applicant’s educational background and professional experience.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
10,000 word research paper (100%) on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
Not available in 2019
Time commitment details
The pre-teaching period commences four weeks before the subject commencement date. From this time, students are expected to access and review the Reading Guide that will be available from the LMS subject page and the subject materials provided by the subject coordinator, which will be available from Melbourne Law School. Refer to the Reading Guide for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences.
Additional delivery details
This subject has a quota of 30 students. Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters website for further information about the management of subject quotas and waitlists.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Details regarding any prescribed texts will be provided prior to the commencement of the subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Law and Development Course Master of Public and International Law Course Master of Laws Course Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies Course Graduate Diploma in Government Law - Links to additional information
law.unimelb.edu.au
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
If required, please contact law-admissions@unimelb.edu.au for subject coordinator approval.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022