Law: Creation of the Rule of Law Society in Post-Communism Europe

  Estonia

Tartu

Term: Fall 
Dates: Autumn semester

Description: This program would be of great interest to students of political science, sociology and other disciplines whose professional interest includes study of transitional societies. For students from Western Europe, the attractiveness of the program lies in the opportunity to study dynamic aspects of sweeping transitions carried out in a relatively short period of time. For students from other regions of the world, the program offers insights into European traditions of human rights, rule of law and marketplace economy from the perspective of a society faced with the daunting challenge to fill the void left from the collapse of communism.

Autumn semester only, sample course list (24 ECTS):
* Protection of Human Rights under EU Law
* Evolution of Private Law in Transitional Society
* Right to a Fair Trial
* Protection of Intellectual Property and Human Rights in Transitional Society
* Environmental Law and Human Rights
* Law of Treaties
* United Nations and International Law
* Developing Social Rights in Estonia: Right to Work and Right to Social Security
* European Union Business Law
* International Criminal Law

Highlights: There are two main points of emphasis that single out this program among its peers in the West. First, Estonia, having transformed itself in little over a decade from a communist republic of the former Soviet Union to a democratic market economy rooted in the European Union (EU) founded on the rule of law, has necessarily accumulated a wealth of first hand experience with societal transition. Central in this development has been the need to provide for the protection of fundamental human rights while establishing legal institutions necessary for creation of a vigorous market economy. Second, Estonia's strategic location at the crossroads of the Western and Russian civilizations, serves as the EU's border to the Russian Federation and thus provides more than ample opportunities to compare in vivid detail different approaches and practices in societal development in post-communist Europe. Both of these aspects will be explored in the syllabus of the program.

All courses are awarded a certain number of credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), which makes studies abroad easy to transfer to educational institutions worldwide. Students need to check with their University study abroad advisor prior to arrival how ECTS credits transfer into their national system of credit points.

Founded in 1632, the University of Tartu has almost 18 000 students and is famous for research-based education and lively student traditions. Estonia offers a unique perspective on the successful transition to democracy and recent accession to the EU.

Tartu is Estonia's second largest city, with 100 000 people, and is located 2.5 hours from the airport and sea port of Tallinn, with connections to major cities in Europe and Russia. English is spoken widely here, and students making one fifth of the population it is a true University town.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: 1920 /semester*

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Estonia Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 15-25

Application Process Involves:

• Transcript
• Written Application

University of Tartu, International Relations Office's Mission Statement: The University of Tartu is a national university uniting different branches of science. The mission of the University of Tartu is to act as the guardian and advocate of a highly educated Estonia through internationally acclaimed research and the provision of research based higher education.

Year Founded: 1632