Legal Studies

This course examines the conceptual foundations of criminal law science, in particular the emergence of criminal law and the features that distinguish it from the general field of law. It considers what makes up criminal law and technical issues related to the field, the definition of crime from a legal aspect, the elements that comprise what it is and the principle systems that relate to it. Other topics covered include elements of a crime that support personal criminal liability; punishability; doctrinal systems related to crime.

This course is targeted at students particularly interested in exploring the history and development of European integration. The European Union provides an interesting topic of study for anyone interested in gaining more understanding of the ways in which European states interact politically, economically, and culturally. Within that context, this course introduces students to the history and politics of the integration process, the main EU institutions and institutional processes, the nature and effect of the law of the European Union, and some of the most prominent policies of the European Union today. More specifically, the course addresses a number of different topics starting with the history of European integration, followed by an examination of the composition, role, and powers of the institutions in the European Union. Secondly, the course takes a closer look at the law of the European Union, addressing issues such as the main areas of competence of the European Union, the decision-making process, and the unique status of EU law within the legal systems of the Member States. In addition, some of the main policy areas of the European Union are also examined. Finally, the course addresses the attitudes of the different Member States to the European integration process, the enlargement process, and the possible future of the EU integration process. The course includes a field trip.

This course introduces the analysis of the foundations of public order from the perspective of analytical political theory. This basis provides the conceptual tools for approaching a central issue in political theory: the justification of political obligation and contestation. The study of the justification of public institutions reviews some of the key approaches in political philosophy (deontology; consequentialism) and analytical political theories (contractualism; utilitarianism). The course addresses questions of moral right to command and a moral duty to obey; whether individual autonomy and political authority are compatible; whether voluntarily accepting an obligation is to be bound by it; why must we obey the laws even if the personal costs of obedience are very high; whether we are ever morally justified in disobeying unjust laws; and if exemptions from the law for reasons of conscience can ever be justified.

This course analyzes the theory of constitutional law, the fundamental concepts contained in a constitution-- in particular the Mexican constitution. It discusses federalism, its development in Mexico, and its distinction from other forms of government. Topics include: society, state, and law; concept and location of constitutional law; concept of a constitution; classification of constitutions; ideological aspects of constitutional law; constitutional power; constitutional supremacy; constitutional reform; human rights; forms of state; federation as a form of state; past forms of government in Mexico; evolution of Mexican constitutional law.

This course examines the application of legal considerations to the activities of organizations. The focus is on a practical approach to legal issues and problems that arise. If I want to start a business what structures are available to me, such as forming a company? When is a legal contract formed, how can it be breached and what remedies may be available? What rights do employees have in the workplace, particularly in relation to dismissal, redundancy and discrimination? How does the English Legal System work? How can my valuable original work be protected from imitation and what are copyrights and patents?

The course deals with substantive, procedural and political issues relating to international criminal justice, its origins, reach, legitimacy, and articulation with (post-) conflict management and peace making. It covers historical and recent international and national efforts undertaken to address these crimes. After presenting the framework and principles of international criminal justice, the course discusses contemporaneous issues. Experts and practitioners contribute to equipping students with the tools necessary to understand the role and impact of justice in international affairs.

The course introduces the study of global crime and justice, a developing field of inquiry which examines the impact of global changes on issues that pertain to crime and punishment. The purpose of the course is to both study criminal phenomena and the available responses to them on the global level as well as to explore the ways in which these issues supplement but also challenge our conventional thinking about crime and punishment. In that sense, the course covers key problems that pertain to global crime and justice and also provides the students with the necessary skills to critically assess the challenges posed by supranational phenomena and the adequacy of responses that we currently have.

The course provides a general and comprehensive approach to world affairs while introducing the international legal perspective. It covers both the essentials of public international law and particular legal regimes such as coercion, use of force, human rights, State territory, and space law with respect to selected world affairs and international conflicts. The course highlights the interaction between international politics and law and the role of international law in the world governance. It’s focus both on theory and practice and on interdisciplinarity allows a better understanding of international negotiation, norm-making, legal argumentation, and interpretative techniques.

This introductory course aims to give students basic familiarity with the systems and language of law in England, the United States, and Australia. The course also aims to provide students some degree of confidence in tackling the difficult task of reading primary legal materials (cases and statutes) from these countries, which is essential in their future work as legal professionals or white-collar workers.

This course analyzes the rights linked to European citizenship as well as for those residing in the EU territory. It explores case law developed by the Court of Justice of the European Union, as well as the tools available for civil society to participate in the policies and decision-making processes in the EU. It focuses on the means of communication that EU citizens and residents have before the institutions of the European Union for expressing their opinion, practical needs and concerns.