Constitutional Law

obligatory courses

Basic knowledge of the Constitution and systemic issues, included in the scope of teaching in high school, supplemented with knowledge of the history of the state system and the basics of jurisprudence.

Classroom

The classes are aimed at presenting, in the light of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland of 1997 and other normative acts, the general principles of the state system, basic rights, freedoms and obligations of the individual and the system of state authorities, their competences and mutual relations.

The lecture includes the presentation of: the principles of the political system of the Republic of Poland, with particular emphasis on the principle of a democratic state ruled by law, principles shaping the status of an individual in the state (freedoms, rights and obligations), the principle of sustainable development and institutional guarantees of their protection (justice, tribunals, Ombudsman); organization, scope of operation and mode of operation of the legislative authority (Sejm, Senate, National Assembly), executive authority (President and Council of Ministers) as well as courts and tribunals. A detailed analysis - in the light of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland of April 2, 1997 - the system of sources of universally and internally binding law as well as the mechanisms of control over the constitutionality and legality of normative acts are subjected. In addition, the subject of the lecture are the institutions of indirect democracy (elections) and direct democracy (constitutional approval referendum, ratification referendum, national referendum and popular initiative). The lecture also covers the issues of local government, public finance and state control.

The aim of the exercises is to consolidate and develop the issues discussed in the lecture. Exercises are also used to analyze examples of constitutional practice problems. In addition, during the classes, students are inspired to discuss, independently interpret normative acts, as well as solve constitutional problems.

http://www.prawokonstytucyjne.wpia.uw.edu.pl/literatura.html

The lecture is conducted and the exam is prepared on the basis of the textbook:

M. Zubik, Constitutional law of contemporary Poland, Warsaw 2023.

After completing the course, the student:

- explains the concepts and characterizes the institutions of constitutional law

- presents the legal norms contained in the Constitution and some other normative acts included in the curriculum

- interprets the provisions of the Constitution

- applies appropriate methods of interpreting the provisions of the Constitution

- explains the objectives and functions of individual constitutional institutions

- explains the systemic importance of the competences of individual constitutional organs of the state

- identifies human and civil rights and freedoms as well as mechanisms for their protection

- identifies legal problems concerning constitutional law and formulates their solutions

- analyzes practical problems and jurisprudence related to the constitutional matter correctly in terms of methodology

- interprets the provisions of law through the prism of the norms contained in the Constitution

- formulates own conclusions in discussions on political issues

The final exam, which the student can take after obtaining credits for two semesters of classes.

The scope of the exam is determined by the course lecture.

Detailed information:

http://konstytucja.wpia.uw.edu.pl/dydaktyka/egzamin/

During the exam, each student will receive an exam form.

The first part of the form is the test. The test consists of twenty questions and four answers to each of them. The task of the examinee is to indicate one correct answer to each of the twenty test questions. Indicating the correct answer to each question will be assessed as 0.5 points. The answers should be transferred to the table. It is not allowed to make changes to the answers.

The second part of the form consists of semi-open questions. The task is to complete the list of all answers to the semi-open questions. You can get a total of 3 points for this part. Half points will not be awarded.

The third part of the form is a question about the assessment of the constitutionality of a fragment of a prepared legal act. The task is to indicate the constitutional standard and assess the compliance of provisions in the light of this standard. You can get a total of 3 points for this part.

The fourth part of the form is a case concerning political issues. The task is to indicate constitutional problems occurring in the case and to comment on them synthetically. A maximum of 5 points can be awarded for a comprehensive discussion of the case.

The total sum of points that can be obtained from the written exam in constitutional law is 21. The condition for passing the exam is to obtain at least 12 points. The obtained points will be converted into grades according to the following scale:

21 - 20 points - rating: very good

19.5 - 18 points - assessment: good plus

17.5 - 16 points - rating: good

15.5 - 14 points - assessment: a sufficient plus

13.5 - 11.5 points - rating: satisfactory

11 - 0 points - rating: unsatisfactory

not applicable