Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights
Teaching
The Centre has long focused on the teaching of human rights within the context of both Czech and European constitutionalism. While the individual courses cover a diverse range of topics, they all share a common emphasis on active student engagement—whether through participation in discussions, essay writing, or teamwork.
Many of the courses are taught not only by members of the Centre but also by scholars from leading international universities, such as Leiden University, the University of Michigan, and Queen’s University Belfast.
-
Human Rights in European Constitutional System I. and II.
Human Rights in the European Constitutional Order I and II is a two-semester, Czech-English elective course taught within the framework of the Jean Monnet Module. It focuses on the theory and practice of human rights protection in the context of European constitutionalism. The course addresses both institutional and procedural aspects of human rights protection in the EU, as well as the current development of European human rights standards in relation to selected contemporary challenges—particularly those concerning the protection of so-called vulnerable groups, such as LGBT+ individuals, migrants, ethnic minorities, and religious minorities.
The seminars are designed to be highly interactive, with a strong emphasis on active student participation—whether through in-class discussions, independent essay writing, or teamwork. Students receive individual feedback on their written work from seminar leaders. The course thus aims not only to deepen students’ knowledge of European human rights protection mechanisms but also to develop their legal reasoning, rhetorical skills, and academic writing.
In addition to members of the Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights, the seminars are led by internationally recognised experts from foreign universities, including Professor Christopher McCrudden, Professor Moritz Jesse, Professor Darinka Piqani, and Professor Saša Gajin.
Video recordings of the seminars are available to enrolled students via Moodle.
Course Syllabus: Human Rights in the European Constitutional Order I (Winter Semester 2024/2025)
1 Oct 2024 – Prof. JUDr. Helena Hofmannová, Ph.D.: Course Introduction; History of Human Rights Protection in the EU I
8 Oct 2024 – Prof. JUDr. Helena Hofmannová, Ph.D.: History of Human Rights Protection in the EU II
15 Oct 2024 – Mgr. Karel Řepa, Ph.D.: Institutional Aspects of Human Rights Protection in the EU
22 Oct 2024 – Mgr. Karel Řepa, Ph.D.: Interaction between the CJEU and ECtHR; EU Accession to the ECHR
29 Oct 2024 – Prof. JUDr. Helena Hofmannová, Ph.D.: Equality as a Fundamental Principle of EU Law – Theory
5 Nov 2024 – Prof. JUDr. Helena Hofmannová, Ph.D.: Equality as a Fundamental Principle of EU Law – Practice
12 Nov 2024 – Mgr. Karel Řepa, Ph.D.: Human Dignity as a Fundamental Principle of EU Law – Theory
19 Nov 2024 – Mgr. Karel Řepa, Ph.D.: Human Dignity as a Fundamental Principle of EU Law – Practice
26 Nov 2024 – Prof. JUDr. Kristina Koldinská, Ph.D.: Social Rights in the EU I
3 Dec 2024 – Prof. JUDr. Kristina Koldinská, Ph.D.: Social Rights in the EU II
10 Dec 2024 – Mgr. Karel Řepa, Ph.D.: How to Write an Essay; Essay Consultations
17 Dec 2024 – Mgr. Karel Řepa, Ph.D.: Presentation and Discussion of Selected Essays
Course Syllabus: Human Rights in the European Constitutional Order II (Summer Semester 2024/2025)
18 Feb 2025 – 14:00 – Prof. Christopher McCrudden (University of Michigan): Human Dignity in Theory, in Practice, and in Law I [ONLINE]
25 Feb 2025 – 14:00 – Prof. Christopher McCrudden (University of Michigan): Human Dignity in Theory, in Practice, and in Law II [ONLINE]
4 Mar 2025 – 14:00 – Prof. Moritz Jesse (Leiden University): Non-Discrimination and Equal Treatment as Principles of EU Law [ONLINE]
7 Mar 2025 – 10:00 – Prof. Moritz Jesse (Leiden University): How to Discriminate against a Migrant? Legal Questions of Equality and Differential Treatment [IN PERSON, Room 38]
11 Mar 2025 – 14:00 – Dr. Nika Bačić Selanec (University of Zagreb): Dual Role of Proportionality in EU Judge-Made Law [ONLINE]
14 Mar 2025 – 10:00 – Dr. Nika Bačić Selanec (University of Zagreb): Understanding Competences and Checks & Balances in the EU: Lessons from Federal Constitutionalism [ONLINE]
18 Mar 2025 – 14:00 – Prof. Darinka Piqani (Leiden University): Understanding the Concept of National Identity in EU Law in the Context of Minority Language Protection I [ONLINE]
25 Mar 2025 – 14:00 – Prof. Darinka Piqani (Leiden University): Understanding the Concept of National Identity in EU Law in the Context of Minority Language Protection II [IN PERSON, Room 412]
15 Apr 2025 – 14:00 – Jan Grinc (Faculty of Law, Charles University): The EU Migration Pact from a Legal and Political Perspective [IN PERSON, Room 412]
6 May 2025 – 14:00 – Martin Rozumek (Director, Organisation for Aid to Refugees): The EU Migration Pact in Practice [IN PERSON, Room 38]
-
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Law
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Law is an elective course that explores both current legal standards for the protection of LGBTIQ+ individuals and the broader legal discourse, from the perspectives of human rights and constitutional law. Particular attention is paid to the applicable Czech and international legal frameworks, relevant case law, and their historical and value-based foundations. The course structure reflects a comprehensive analysis of the legal status of LGBTIQ+ persons, supported by international comparisons.
Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on understanding the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the European Union, contributing to a deeper grasp of the legal dimensions of LGBTIQ+ rights protection. The course also incorporates an intersectional approach, addressing overlapping forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender, as well as other grounds such as sex, ethnicity, and age.
The course fosters an interactive learning environment and encourages students to engage in continuous self-directed learning and active participation in discussions.
Course Syllabus: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Law (Summer Semester 2024/2025)
Tuesdays at 16:00, Room 407
Course listed in SIS18 Feb 2025 – Mgr. Karel Řepa, Ph.D.: Course Introduction; History of Constitutional Protection of LGBT+ Persons
25 Feb 2025 – Prof. JUDr. Helena Hofmannová, Ph.D.: Constitutional Principles of LGBT+ Protection and Their Reflection in the Case Law of the Czech Constitutional Court
4 Mar 2025 – Assoc. Prof. JUDr. Jakub Tomšej, Ph.D.: The Principle of Equality and Prohibition of Discrimination in Theory and Practice with Respect to LGBT+ Persons
11 Mar 2025 – Assoc. Prof. JUDr. Jakub Tomšej, Ph.D.: LGBT+ Partnerships and Related Legislative Developments
18 Mar 2025 – Mgr. Karel Řepa, Ph.D.: Same-Sex Marriage from a Constitutional Law Perspective
25 Mar 2025 – Mgr. Karel Řepa, Ph.D.: Legal Protection of LGBT+ Persons and Its Tension with Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Religion
1 Apr 2025 – JUDr. Adéla Horáková: Law-Making and Advocacy in the Field of LGBT+ Rights Protection
8 Apr 2025 – Mgr. Viktor Heumann [Transparent]: The Legal Status and Protection of Transgender and Non-Binary Persons
15 Apr 2025 – Mgr. Klára Kalibová, Ph.D. [In IUSTITIA]: Bias-Motivated Violence and LGBT+ Persons
29 Apr 2025 – Mgr. Petr Kalla: LGBT+ Rights in Legal Practice and the Role of Strategic Litigation
6 May 2025 – Mgr. Karel Řepa, Ph.D.: How to Write an Essay; Essay Topic Consultations
-
Constitutional Review in Central European Context (LS)
Constitutional Review in the Central European Context is a course offered within the framework of the 4EU+ and Erasmus+ programmes. It introduces students to both theoretical and practical aspects of constitutional adjudication in the Central European region. The course places particular emphasis on the role of the Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic, which is examined in the broader context of constitutional justice and constitutional theory as developed in Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary.
-
Academic Seminar on Constitutionalism and Human Rights (Winter Semester)
Research Seminar in Constitutionalism and Human Rights is an elective course that offers students a platform to analyse and discuss current human rights issues and their broader implications for constitutional theory. At the heart of the course lies the students’ own creative work: each student selects a specific human rights or constitutional theory topic, prepares an analysis, and presents it for discussion with their peers during the seminar.
This format not only allows students to deepen their knowledge of human rights and constitutional theory, but—thanks to the mentoring provided by the seminar leaders—also helps them develop key academic skills, including legal reasoning, academic writing, and public presentation.
-
Protection of Civil and Human Rights
Protection of Civil and Human Rights is an elective course designed to broaden students’ understanding of constitutional law by exploring both the theoretical and practical dimensions of civil and human rights protection. The course examines specific legal instruments and mechanisms through the lens of current case studies from both the Czech Republic and abroad. Emphasis is placed on active student participation, particularly through presentations and discussion groups.
Courses Materials
| Název | Velikost | Vytvořeno |
|---|
