Latin American Constitutionalisms

Subject LAWS70397 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 7 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

May, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: The total class time is between 24 and 26 hours.
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites:

None.

Corequisites:

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.

Non Allowed Subjects:

None.

Core Participation Requirements:

The Melbourne Law Masters welcomes applications from students with disabilities. The inherent academic requirements for study in the Melbourne Law Masters are:

  • The ability to attend a minimum of 75% of classes and actively engage in the analysis of complex materials and debate;
  • The ability to read, analyse and comprehend complex written legal materials and complex interdisciplinary materials;
  • The ability to clearly and independently communicate in writing a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and critically evaluate these;
  • The ability to clearly and independently communicate orally a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and critically evaluate these;
  • The ability to work independently and as a part of a group;
  • The ability to present orally and in writing legal analysis to a professional standard.

Students who feel their disability will inhibit them from meeting these inherent academic requirements are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit: www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

For more information, contact the Melbourne Law Masters office.

Email law-masters@unimelb.edu.au or phone +61 3 8344 6190.

Alternatively, visit our website:

www.law.unimelb.edu.au/masters

Subject Overview:

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.
Objectives:

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.
Assessment:

10,000 word research paper (100%) (16 August) on a topic approved by the subject coordinator

Prescribed Texts:

Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Links to further information: http://www.law.unimelb.edu.au/masters/courses-and-subjects/subject-details/sid/5253

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