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.
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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 2025/2026)
October 14, 2025 – Mgr. Karel Řepa, Ph.D.: Course Organization; Human Dignity as a Fundamental Principle of EU Law – Theory
October 21, 2025 – Mgr. Karel Řepa, Ph.D.: Human Dignity as a Fundamental Principle of EU Law – Practice
November 4, 2025 – Prof. JUDr. Helena Hofmannová, Ph.D.: Equality as a Fundamental Principle of EU Law – Theory
November 11, 2025 – Prof. JUDr. Helena Hofmannová, Ph.D.: Equality as a Fundamental Principle of EU Law – Practice
November 18, 2025 – Prof. JUDr. Kristina Koldinská, Ph.D.: Social Rights in the EU – Theory
November 25, 2025 – Prof. JUDr. Kristina Koldinská, Ph.D.: Social Rights in the EU II – Practice
December 2, 2025 – JUDr. Jan Grinc, Ph.D.: Human Rights and European Legislation – Theory and Case Studies
December 9, 2025 – JUDr. Jan Grinc, Ph.D.: Human Rights and European Legislation – Case Studies
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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 2025/2026)
Tuesdays at 16:00,
Course listed in SISOctober 14, 2025 – Mgr. Karel Řepa, Ph.D.: Course Organisation; History of Constitutional Protection of LGBT+ Persons
October 21, 2025 – Mgr. Karel Řepa, Ph.D.: Same-Sex Marriage from the Perspective of Constitutional Legal Argumentation
November 4, 2025 – Prof. JUDr. Helena Hofmannová, Ph.D.: Constitutional Principles of LGBT+ Protection and Their Reflection in the Case Law of the Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic
November 11, 2025 – Assoc. Prof. JUDr. Jakub Tomšej, Ph.D.: Principle of Equality and Prohibition of Discrimination in Relation to LGBT+ Persons in Theory and Applied Practice
November 18, 2025 – Assoc. Prof. JUDr. Jakub Tomšej, Ph.D.: LGBT+ Partnerships and Related Legislative Changes
November 25, 2025 – JUDr. Adéla Horáková: Law-Making and Advocacy in the Field of LGBT+ Protection
December 2, 2025 – Mgr. Petr Kalla: Rights of LGBT+ Persons in Applied Practice and the Role of Strategic Litigation
December 9, 2025 – Mgr. Klára Kalibová, Ph.D. [In IUSTITIA]: Bias-Motivated Violence and LGBT+ Persons
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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.
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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.
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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
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