Japan’s blend of tradition and innovation makes it an ideal location for studying law. As a crucial economic and political ally of the United States, Japan offers valuable insights into global legal practices. You’ll explore the similarities and differences between American and Japanese constitutional law, enriching your understanding and preparing you for a globalized legal environment. Additionally, Japan’s safety, hospitality, and fascinating culture make it a welcoming destination for all students.
The course will be taught at Osaka University, in the Graduate School of Law and Politics and the Faculty of Law, in the Toyonaka Campus.
The course will be Comparative Constitutional Law: Rights. It is a seminar that explores how different rights are enshrined, interpreted, and enforced in different constitutional systems. It will be limited to examining a few specific rights, with an emphasis on the systems of the United States, Canada, Japan, and the European Union.
The course will be taught over a three-week period, four days a week, for approximately three and a half hours a day in the mornings, leaving time in the afternoons for both exploration and preparation for next day's classes. Fridays will be left free for field trips and class expeditions. Undergraduate and graduate students from Osaka University will also be participating in the classes, providing the opportunity for a true exchange of different views on constitutional law, but they will be assessed separately.
The course will be conducted from June 8-June 26. Students will be aiming to arrive in Osaka on June 5 or June 6, with classes beginning June 8. A final exam will be conducted on Friday, June 26, with a day off to prepare on June 25. Students can plan to leave any time between June 26-June 30. In 2018, some students went on to travel within Japan, or elsewhere in Asia, before returning to the United States.
The course is a graded three credit course, which will be assessed based on a final three hour exam.
Begin planning early by obtaining your passport if you don’t already have one. No visa is required for this trip, but check the Japanese Embassy’s website for up-to-date travel guidelines. Accommodation details will be provided, with costs estimated around $1,500 for your stay in Osaka.
A travel planning session will be scheduled post-registration to ensure you have all the information needed for a smooth journey.