In this seminar we will consider several topics in the comparative study of constitutions, constitutionalism, and constitutional law. We will approach these topics through several lenses -- to learn something about comparative law and its classical debates and dilemmas; to learn something about how distinctive (or not) constitutional law is and to better understand distinctive features of those legal frameworks called "constitutions"; and to gain new perspectives on issues familiar in U.S. constitutional law by studying very different approaches taken by other constitutional democracies. We will also explore questions of constitutional legitimacy, and consider the relationship (s) between the processes of constitution making as they are developing in the world and a constitution's legitimacy and efficacy in promoting appropriate forms of constitutionalism. Our substantive topics will include (1) abortion and reproductive freedom (with a likely focus on the U.S., Germany, Canada, and Ireland); freedom of expression (with a likely focus on Canada and the United States); protection and advancement of groups disadvantaged by race, caste, or language, through federalism and through affirmative action (looking at Canada and India); and positive social welfare rights (with a likely focus on South Africa, Colombia and Brazil). We will also have some general readings on constitutionalism and its relationship to constitutions, on the purposes and limits of comparative study, and on constitution-making; some of these materials will likely focus on South Africa, Kenya, and Iceland. Faculty: Vicki Jackson