Spring/summer 2013
INLR 3991: LAW AND DEVELOPMENT
Spring/Summer Semester 2013--TTh 6-9 PM
In discussions of the capacity of law-making to promote human welfare and social justice in the developing world there are three divergent perspectives: 1. That rule-making modelled on western legal systems and priorities will slowly bring about needed reform; 2. That law itself is merely a tool of those in power and cannot promote justice; and 3. That well-crafted law can be used to bring about necessary institutional change according to local needs and priorities. Using a combination of lectures, readings, and student team research, the class will first evaluate broad contemporary debates on the role of law, and then examine in more detail the legal component of a series of development and human welfare issues including land use, indigenous rights, gender, public health and safety, international trade, conflict resolution and the liberal human rights regime.
Prereq: POLS/INLR 2301; or permission of the Department.
For more information or a syllabus: Contact Michal Avram, mavram@mta.ca
Spring/Summer session runs from May 6th to June 21st.