NPOL
3621

Comparative Constitutional Law

Schools of Public Engagement: BPATS

Liberal Arts
Undergraduate Course
Degree Students
Comparative Constitutional Law
Spring 2026
Taught By: Glynn Torres-Spelliscy
Section: A

CRN: 16789

Credits: 3

What can the United States learn from the constitutional experiences of other nations? The United States is experiencing a nearly unprecedented era of constitutional upheaval, with the U.S. Supreme Court reinterpreting long-standing principles, and an Executive Branch that ignores long-standing constitutional principles. How we navigate these tumultuous times is one of the most critical issues facing the next generation. This course invites students to explore how countries around the world design, interpret, and adapt their constitutions to address common challenges such as protecting rights, balancing governmental powers, and safeguarding democracy in the face of political, social, and economic pressures. Through a comparative lens, we will examine how constitutional systems in diverse regions tackle issues like free speech, privacy, social justice, and minority rights, and how these approaches provide insights for addressing similar dilemmas in the United States. The course will examine strategies other nations employ to confront crises such as political polarization, judicial independence, and threats to civil liberties. The course fosters critical thinking about the strengths and limitations of the U.S. Constitution and explores ways in which global perspectives can inspire reform and a deeper understanding of constitutional governance. Whether you aspire to be a lawyer, policymaker, or informed citizen, this course equips you with the tools to think beyond borders about the future of constitutional democracy.

Prerequisites: No Prerequisites
Co-Requisites: No Co-requisites

College: Schools of Public Engagement (NS)

Department: BPATS (BPAT)

Campus: New York City (GV)

Course Format: Seminar (R)

Modality: Online - Asynchronous

Max Enrollment: 18

Repeat Limit: N/A

Add/Drop Deadline: February 3, 2026 (Tuesday)

Online Withdrawal Deadline: April 14, 2026 (Tuesday)

Seats Available: Yes

Status: Open*

* Status information is updated every few minutes. The status of this course may have changed since the last update. Open seats may have restrictions that will prevent some students from registering. Updated: 12:04pm EDT 10/6/2025

Meeting Info:
Days: TBD
Times: 12:00am - 12:00am
Building: TBD
Room: TBD
Date Range: 1/21/2026 - 5/12/2026