Constitutional Values and Democratic Resilience in the Context of Social Change

Title	% from total grade	Grade
1. Case Law Analysis	10.00% from total grade	10 points
Students shall independently select and analyze a landmark judicial decision to identify the evolutionary dynamics of legal interpretation. The analysis must evaluate the judicial response to shifting socio-legal paradigms, moral values, and societal transformations. The selected precedent or ruling must address an issue involving a fundamental shift in legal consciousness or social reality (e.g., the legal construction of the family unit, the justiciability of environmental rights, data sovereignty, or the reconfiguration of social security standards).
2. Moot Court	25.00% from total grade	10 points
Role play or play of a court process in which students split into teams or draw a position and play out the resolution of a legal problem in a specific legal process (in court proceedings or decision-making in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Constitution), training the ability to defend a legal position in circumstances where political will and legal constraints are faced.
3. Development and presentation of research work	15.00% from total grade	10 points
The student must select a current problem and prepare an analytical study in which he or she must be able to reconcile theoretical knowledge with the problem of applying practical rights. The objective of the task is to independently identify and scientifically analyse complex issues of application of law, assessing the conformity of the legal framework with the fundamental values of a democratic state in the face of threats or rapid social change. The work should result in a high-value written position based on scientific methods and the use of appropriate sources of rights.

Title	% from total grade	Grade
1. Case study / Legal case	15.00% from total grade	10 points
Students shall independently analyze a legal case study involving several interrelated legal issues. Within the framework of the analysis, students shall identify the legally significant facts, determine the applicable regulatory framework, evaluate potential restrictions on fundamental rights, and argue for a legally sound solution by presenting structured written conclusions. The objective of the solution is to apply and interpret constitutional norms and general principles of law, while ensuring the continuity and stability of the legal order in the context of rapid societal change.
2. Test	5.00% from total grade	10 points
Multiple choice test. Examine students’ theoretical knowledge of the hierarchy of sources of rights, legal methodology and ability to navigate scientific literature (legal doctrine).
3. Exam	30.00% from total grade	10 points
The oral examination is structured as a professional legal discourse, incorporating analytical inquiries and legal case studies. During the examination, students must demonstrate the capacity to independently analyze complex legal scenarios and provide a reasoned application of the established legal norms and general principles of law.

Constitutional Values and the Clash of Values Description Constitutional interpretation as a method for the dynamic application of the constitution; The eternity clause as a mechanism for the protection of constitutional values; The concept and substance of constitutional identity; Consistency and hierarchy of constitutional values; Balancing religious values with the legal order of a secular state; Loyalty to Latvia as a fundamental value for a cohesive society.

Constitutional Values and the Clash of Values Description Constitutional interpretation as a method for the dynamic application of the constitution; The eternity clause as a mechanism for the protection of constitutional values; The concept and substance of constitutional identity; Consistency and hierarchy of constitutional values; Balancing religious values with the legal order of a secular state; Loyalty to Latvia as a fundamental value for a cohesive society.

Constitutional Values and the Clash of Values Description Constitutional interpretation as a method for the dynamic application of the constitution; The eternity clause as a mechanism for the protection of constitutional values; The concept and substance of constitutional identity; Consistency and hierarchy of constitutional values; Balancing religious values with the legal order of a secular state; Loyalty to Latvia as a fundamental value for a cohesive society.

Constitutional Values and the Clash of Values Description Constitutional interpretation as a method for the dynamic application of the constitution; The eternity clause as a mechanism for the protection of constitutional values; The concept and substance of constitutional identity; Consistency and hierarchy of constitutional values; Balancing religious values with the legal order of a secular state; Loyalty to Latvia as a fundamental value for a cohesive society.

The Principle of Militant Democracy: Geopolitical Context in the Application of Law Description Protection of the rule of law against the abuse of rights; Understanding and application of the principle of militant democracy within the Latvian legal system; The exploitation of democratic institutions and legal mechanisms (loopholes) by authoritarian regimes to undermine the rule of law from within; The significance of geopolitical context in the application of law: Individual liberty versus public security.

The Principle of Militant Democracy: Geopolitical Context in the Application of Law Description Protection of the rule of law against the abuse of rights; Understanding and application of the principle of militant democracy within the Latvian legal system; The exploitation of democratic institutions and legal mechanisms (loopholes) by authoritarian regimes to undermine the rule of law from within; The significance of geopolitical context in the application of law: Individual liberty versus public security.

The Principle of Militant Democracy: Geopolitical Context in the Application of Law Description Protection of the rule of law against the abuse of rights; Understanding and application of the principle of militant democracy within the Latvian legal system; The exploitation of democratic institutions and legal mechanisms (loopholes) by authoritarian regimes to undermine the rule of law from within; The significance of geopolitical context in the application of law: Individual liberty versus public security.

The Principle of Militant Democracy: Geopolitical Context in the Application of Law Description Protection of the rule of law against the abuse of rights; Understanding and application of the principle of militant democracy within the Latvian legal system; The exploitation of democratic institutions and legal mechanisms (loopholes) by authoritarian regimes to undermine the rule of law from within; The significance of geopolitical context in the application of law: Individual liberty versus public security.

The Principle of Militant Democracy: Geopolitical Context in the Application of Law Description Protection of the rule of law against the abuse of rights; Understanding and application of the principle of militant democracy within the Latvian legal system; The exploitation of democratic institutions and legal mechanisms (loopholes) by authoritarian regimes to undermine the rule of law from within; The significance of geopolitical context in the application of law: Individual liberty versus public security.

The Substance of the Separation of Powers Principle in Crisis Management and Ensuring State Continuity Description Democratic resilience of constitutional institutions under crisis conditions; Management models for states of emergency and exceptional states; Effectiveness and the rule of law within crisis management structures; The significance of the principle of good lawmaking in the development of a democratic state governed by the rule of law.

The Substance of the Separation of Powers Principle in Crisis Management and Ensuring State Continuity Description Democratic resilience of constitutional institutions under crisis conditions; Management models for states of emergency and exceptional states; Effectiveness and the rule of law within crisis management structures; The significance of the principle of good lawmaking in the development of a democratic state governed by the rule of law.

Human Dignity and the Protection of Human Rights in the Technological Age Description Human dignity as a legal concept; Adapting fundamental rights to the age of modern technology; Balancing individual liberty and the interests of public security; The methodology for evaluating limitations on human rights and its problematic aspects.

The Substance of the Separation of Powers Principle in Crisis Management and Ensuring State Continuity Description Democratic resilience of constitutional institutions under crisis conditions; Management models for states of emergency and exceptional states; Effectiveness and the rule of law within crisis management structures; The significance of the principle of good lawmaking in the development of a democratic state governed by the rule of law.

Human Dignity and the Protection of Human Rights in the Technological Age Description Human dignity as a legal concept; Adapting fundamental rights to the age of modern technology; Balancing individual liberty and the interests of public security; The methodology for evaluating limitations on human rights and its problematic aspects.

Legitimate Expectation in a Changing Environment Description The principle of legal certainty versus flexibility: how to maintain a predictable legal environment when crisis regulations are subject to change; The obligation of the state to implement transitional periods during reforms; The interpretation of legal norms amidst the evolution of societal moral views; The capacity of society to recognize and resist anti-democratic acts.

Legitimate Expectation in a Changing Environment Description The principle of legal certainty versus flexibility: how to maintain a predictable legal environment when crisis regulations are subject to change; The obligation of the state to implement transitional periods during reforms; The interpretation of legal norms amidst the evolution of societal moral views; The capacity of society to recognize and resist anti-democratic acts.

The Role of the Judiciary in Protecting Democracy under Conditions of Internal and External Threats Description Jurisdictional boundaries of judicial power and the "political question" doctrine; The role of scientific evidence in the judicial process; The principle of judicial restraint as a guarantee of democratic stability.

The Role of the Constitutional Court in the Protection and Application of Constitutional Principles Description The role of constitutional courts in ensuring a balance between the protection of fundamental rights and the necessity of averting diverse threats to democracy; How to effectively monitor whether human rights restrictions imposed to address an emergency remain necessary (preventing emergency measures from transforming into a "new normal").

The Role of the Judiciary in Protecting Democracy under Conditions of Internal and External Threats Description Jurisdictional boundaries of judicial power and the "political question" doctrine; The role of scientific evidence in the judicial process; The principle of judicial restraint as a guarantee of democratic stability.

The Role of the Constitutional Court in the Protection and Application of Constitutional Principles Description The role of constitutional courts in ensuring a balance between the protection of fundamental rights and the necessity of averting diverse threats to democracy; How to effectively monitor whether human rights restrictions imposed to address an emergency remain necessary (preventing emergency measures from transforming into a "new normal").

Globalization and Legal Pluralism in the European Context Description How global transborder issues and supranational actors (the European Union, the Council of Europe, and other international organizations) influence the understanding of law and values; Balancing the constitutional identities of European Union Member States with common European values; The impact of European Union law on national crisis management: How the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights limits Member State arbitrariness during crises; The balance between the application of national law, European Union law, and international law.

Globalization and Legal Pluralism in the European Context Description How global transborder issues and supranational actors (the European Union, the Council of Europe, and other international organizations) influence the understanding of law and values; Balancing the constitutional identities of European Union Member States with common European values; The impact of European Union law on national crisis management: How the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights limits Member State arbitrariness during crises; The balance between the application of national law, European Union law, and international law.

Globalization and Legal Pluralism in the European Context Description How global transborder issues and supranational actors (the European Union, the Council of Europe, and other international organizations) influence the understanding of law and values; Balancing the constitutional identities of European Union Member States with common European values; The impact of European Union law on national crisis management: How the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights limits Member State arbitrariness during crises; The balance between the application of national law, European Union law, and international law.

Economic Growth, Efficiency Considerations, and Sustainable Development Issues Description Sustainability of the nation, state, people, humanity, and the entire world; Intergenerational justice as a legal argument; Environmental protection and sustainable development as an obligation of the state; Economic efficiency considerations and the state's duty to ensure public welfare; Problematic aspects of the concept of a socially responsible state.

Economic Growth, Efficiency Considerations, and Sustainable Development Issues Description Sustainability of the nation, state, people, humanity, and the entire world; Intergenerational justice as a legal argument; Environmental protection and sustainable development as an obligation of the state; Economic efficiency considerations and the state's duty to ensure public welfare; Problematic aspects of the concept of a socially responsible state.

Exam