Legal Studies

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale program. The course is intended for advanced level students only. Admission is by consent of the instructor. The course focuses on the basic aspects of contemporary constitutionalism in Western democracies, countries in transition to democracy and beyond. Emphasis is placed on comparative constitutional law because it allows for a deeper understanding of legal systems and legal cultures. Special attention is placed on an analysis of the foundations of individual legal systems and the strengths and limits of constitutional law in regulating social and political processes. Course contents: what is a constitution; why comparative constitutional law; constitutional models; judicial enforcement of the constitution and models of constitutional adjudication; horizontal separation of powers: Presidentialism and Parliamentarism; federalism vertical separation of powers; protecting fundamental rights: equality, minority and group rights; freedom of expression; freedom of religion and belief.

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale program and is intended for advanced level students. Enrollment is by consent of the instructor. This course introduces the critical study of the main tenets, the sources, and some specific fields of contemporary international law. The three fundamental legal functions on which the legal dynamics of the international community is founded – lawmaking, law determination, and law enforcement – are analyzed within the contemporary social context. International law is presented in its different dimensions: as a tool in the hand of international actors able to handle change in the international society and safeguard stability and predictability of international legal relations; as common language useful in reaching consensus or, at least, peaceful disagreement; and as key to understanding the reality of contemporary international relations. Bringing together different perspectives, the course demonstrates how international rules, while made by governments and mostly addressed to them, can be of great relevance to private actors and to their interests.

This course is designed for students wishing to clarify and advance their career goals through a 16-week internship in Thailand. It provides a structured learning environment to help students make the most of their internship experience. While there are no regularly scheduled class meetings, internships are conducted under the close academic supervision of the Social Policy & Development department at Thammasat University. An assigned internship coordinator provides oversight and guidance for the duration of the internship. The course requires a minimum of 128 total work hours. To facilitate the completion of the internship and maximize skill acquisition, students are required to work at least one full day per week at their internships. Graded Pass/No pass only.

This course introduces the nuances of gender in relation to the international human rights law framework. This interdisciplinary course provides an understanding of international human rights law; exposure to the main human rights conventions and their gendered objectives; and the manner in which gender is of relevance from a human rights perspective. Further, students develop critical thinking and analysis skills whilst comparing different instruments of international human rights law.