WELCOME TO THE COURSE
Congratulations! It is with great pleasure to inform that you have been admitted to the course Balance of Power and Constitutional Enforcement at Umeå University. On this page you will find important information that will be useful, so please read it carefully. If you have any questions, you can use the contact form below. We wish you a warm welcome and hope that you will enjoy your period of studies here in Umeå.
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The course introduction is Tuesday, 21 January 2025, at 13.15 (quarter past 1 in the afternoon) in the room Samvetet (SAM.B.566) in the House of Social Science. The course introduction is immediately followed by the first lecture on the course.
Tuesday, 21 January 2025
Time: 13:15
Location: SAM.B.566
* Course introduction
The course introduction is Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 13.15 (quarter past 1 in the afternoon) in the room Samvetet (SAM.B.566) in the House of Social Science
The course introduction is immediately followed by the first lecture on the course.
* Course structure and examination
The course consists of lectures as well as seminars. The seminars are mandatory. The course concludes with a written, take-home exam.
Teaching, readings, discussions at seminars and the examination will all take place in English.
The course is the third course on the Master's Programme in Constitutional Law and Human Rights, but may also be taken as an individual elective course.
* Course content
The course Balance of Power and Constitutional Enforcement is an advanced level course. As follows from the name the course focuses on two of the most central constitutional issues: balance of power and enforcement of constitutional rights, rules and principles. The approach of the course is comparative, and not limited to a single constitutional system. Rather, the course will study the issues, outlined below, by discussing examples from different jurisdictions, with some emphasis on European systems such as the European Union and the Council of Europe.
Balance of Power includes both vertical (actors on different constitutional levels) and horizontal perspectives (actors on the same constitutional level). The vertical perspective can be applied both within and beyond a nation state. An example of the former is the relationship (i.e. distribution of power and responsibility) between central and regional powers in a unitary state and between the federal and state level in a federation. An example of the latter is the relationship between a nation state and an international organization, such as the EU or the Council of Europe. Similarly, the horizontal perspective can be applied both within and beyond a nation state. Within the state it includes issues such as the division of power and responsibility between the government and the legislator, and beyond the state it includes division of power between bodies in an international organization, for example the powers awarded to the different EU institutions.
Constitutional Enforcement concerns the issue of moving from paper to reality, i.e. the legal protection of constitutional rights (including fundamental human rights) by courts and other authorities. In other words, what happens, and what legal action can be taken by what actor, if my constitutional rights are violated? The position and power of the courts as a guardian of constitutional rights is a central aspect of constitutional enforcement, including issues such as judicial independence, judicial review and constitutional interpretation.
Checklist for admitted students
Follow this simple list of things to complete your enrolment at Umeå University. It includes: how to secure housing, getting a residence permit (for citizens from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland), tuition payment (if applicable), travel directions and more.
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Recommended arrival times
International students are recommended to arrive at least a few days before the start of the regular semester, preferably prior to the Orientation. If you fail to arrive on time, you have to contact the study counselor as soon as possible, but no later than one week ahead of the course start, or you may not be able to register for the programme or course.
If you will have student housing through the Housing Office at Umeå University you will receive information about your arrival in your offer of housing.
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Orientation
Moving to a new country with an unfamiliar language, culture and customs can be a challenge. We would like to help you and ease that challenge so that you can focus on your studies. Therefore, we would like to offer you the possibility to take part in our Orientation, which begins a few days before the start of the semester (Autumn) or the same day as the semester starts (Spring).
Welcome Fair
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