Student Affairs
Curriculum
Introduction to South African Law
Professor Paleker (Credits: 2)
Provides students with basic understanding of South African law, and basis for comparison to the American legal system. Topics include South African law as a “mixed” legal system (combines elements of both English common law and European civil law), the role of law in an oppressive system (law under apartheid, 1948- 1900), influence of American, Canadian and German law on the new South African constitutional order (1993-1998), and aspects of South African law of interest from a comparative perspective.
Comparative Constitutional Law
Professor Rush (Credits: 2)
This course will engage in a comparative analysis of various issues involving individual liberties. In the area of fundamental rights, we will focus on, among other areas, life and death issues, what it means to have a right to “human dignity,” and some privacy issues. In the area of equality and equal protection, we will compare and try to understand what those concepts mean under different legal systems and in different contexts. Finally, if time permits, we will explore various “social welfare rights” issues at the center of economic inequality.
Law and Politics in South Africa
Professor Nunn (Credits: 2)
This course examines the recent history of South Africa, including the anti-apartheid struggle, and the transition to a democratic state. Government social and economic policies designed to restructure post-apartheid South Africa, such as black economic empowerment policies, the Growth, Employment and Redistribution program (GEAR), and proposed changes to judicial authority will be assessed for their effectiveness. Current issues and challenges in South African law will be reviewed and situated in broader historical context.