Model Constitutions of Europe

Paper Code: 
POL 114
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Course Rationale: This paper acquaints the student with major constitutions of Europe. The historical background of each constitution is to be emphasized to gain an understanding of its evolution. Furthermore the political institutions are to be studied in the light of the political process to gain an understanding of the dynamics of actual politics and policy making.

The objectives of this course are to:

1. Make learners familiarise with the Constitutions of Major European nations.

 

2. Acquaint the students with the evolution of these countries political system and their position in the present time.

 

Course Objectives (CO)

Course

Learning outcomes (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

 

 

 

POL 114

 

 

 

Model Constitutions of Europe

CO13: Understand diverse political systems and constitutions of major European countries, including empirical area-based knowledge; broader theoretical understanding of different political systems, institutions and processes.

CO14:Relate the changing domestic and global contexts within which they operate.

CO15: Understand and cover the approaches and forms of political systems, along with Constitution and Constitutionalism

CO16: Students will be able to explain the historical background of major European constitution and will be able to understand their evolution.

Approach in teaching:

Discussion, Demonstration, Action Research, Project, Field Trip

 

Learning activities for the students:             Field activities, Presentation, Giving tasks

 

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects

 

 

Observation, Presentation, Report writing
 

 

 

12.00
Unit I: 
Unit -1

Constitution of United Kingdom- Growth of the Constitution; Its Nature;

The Crown- The King and the Cabinet

12.00
Unit II: 
Unit-II

Constitution of United Kingdom- The British Parliament; Judiciary; Local Govt.; Political Parties; Rule of Law; Delegated Legislation

12.00
Unit III: 
Unit-III

Constitution of Switzerland- Main Features; Swiss Legislature; Swiss Executive; Swiss Judiciary; Direct Democracy in Switzerland; Political Parties

12.00
Unit IV: 
Unit-IV

Constitution of France- Historical Background; Nature of the Constitution; French Executive; The French Parliament; French Judiciary; Local Govt.; Political Parties

 

12.00
Unit V: 
Unit-V

Constitution of Germany-Brief Background; the Executive; the Legislature; the Judiciary; Political Parties

Essential Readings: 
  • Bhagwan, V. & Bhushan,V., (2017),World Constitutions,New Delhi, Sterling Publishers
  • Mahajan, V.D, (2017), Select Modern Governments, New Delhi,S. Chand & Co
  • Kapur,A .C.& Mishra, K.K., (2010),Select Constitutions,New Delhi, S Chand
References: 

Reference Books:

 

  • Bryce,J.,(1921) ,Modern Democracies, New York,The Macmillan Company, New York,1921
  • Dicey,A.V.(1885), The Law of the Constitution,Oxford,Oxford University Press
  • Finer, H.,(1932),The Theory and Practice of Modern Government,New York, The Dial Press
  •  Finer,H.,(1956), Government of Greater European Powers, Holt, University of Michigan

 

E-Resources:

 

ØWeidenfeld, W. (2010). Understanding the European Constitution. Germany: Verlag Bertelsmann Stiftung. Can be retrieved from https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Understanding_the_European_Constitution/dPp4DwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0

 

 

Journals

 

  • Global Constitutionalism
  • European Constitutional Law Review
  • International Journal of Constitutional Law
  • ICL Journal: Vienna Journal on International Constitutional Law
  • Heinonline

 

 

Academic Year: 
2022-23
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