The course focuses upon the concept of sovereignty within the theoretical framework of international law. It reflects upon the historical emergence of the concept and scrutinises its connections with the notions of people, self-determination, and statehood. This initial focus is supplemented by the consideration of emerging alternative perceptions of sovereignty. Emphasis is laid upon minorities, property relations, and globalism. Within the contextual framework of these emphases, the concept of sovereignty is treated in two ways. First, sovereignty is deconstructed to expose its modern exclusionary tendencies; for instance, white, European and colonialist justifications. Second, sovereignty is reconstructed to reveal its potential for inclusive alternatives that overcome Euro-centric prejudices.

The course will cover a series of topics arising in the comparative study of constitutional systems. Comparing constitutional structures of different countries such as the USA, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Turkey, Britain, India, Japan, and Nigeria, we will examine the constitutional structures, principals and basic problems related to constitutional design of different countries. Some likely topics include the varying foundations, structures and procedures of judicial review of the constitutionality of laws; the relationships between branches of government and presidential compared to parliamentary systems of governance and whether/how constitutions should address “emergency” powers; approaches to protecting minority groups; gender equality; regimes of fundamental rights and freedoms.