Course Listing

Constitutionalism: Perspectives from the Global South
Last Updated Date:   8 July 2025


4 Units,  Semester 2

Course Description:
Constitutionalism is a global practice. Often, the way it gets studied or talked about is not. This course takes a more global view by considering Southern perspectives drawn from Latin America, Africa, and South- and South-East Asia, combining history, theory, and practice in constitutional design and judging. We will debate post-colonial constitutionalism and transformative constitutionalism, consider often-neglected Southern contributions to human rights, and study creative approaches in judging and the separation of powers in Southern courts on issues from democracy to socio-economic rights. Along the way, we will wonder what, if anything, terms like ‘Western’ (or ‘Southern’) constitutionalism really mean.

Course Convenor: Chan Sek Keong Visiting Professor in Public Law James Fowkes

Co-teacher(s): NA

Course Codes: LL4551 / LL5551 / LLJ5551 / LL6551

Contact Hours: 9 sessions over 3 weeks: Three 3-hour weekly seminars

Workload: Intensive: Weeks 4 – 6; Dates: 2 – 20 Feb 2026 [Mon: 6.30pm – 9.30pm, Wed: 6.30pm – 9.30pm & Fri: 3pm – 6pm] [*2 Make-up lessons for 16 & 18 Feb on 7 & 14 Feb (Sat: 9am – 12noon)]

Mode of Assessment: Class Participation - 20% (2 x response papers, each 10%) & Research Paper - 80% [Due: Fri, 27 March 2026 (9pm)]

Preclusions: Nil

Prerequisites: NUS Compulsory Core Law Curriculum or common law equivalent.

Examination Date: Different Mode of Examination

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