030263 SE Hans Kelsen and constitutional jurisdiction (2026S)
Continuous assessment of course work
Labels
Registration/Deregistration
Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
- Registration is open from Tu 10.02.2026 00:01 to Su 01.03.2026 23:59
- Deregistration possible until Su 15.03.2026 23:59
Details
max. 20 participants
Language: German
Lecturers
Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N
Abhaltungsort der Blocktermine im Juni wird noch bekannt gegeben.
- Wednesday 11.03. 17:00 - 18:30 Seminarraum SEM63 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum 6.OG (Kickoff Class)
- Wednesday 15.04. 17:00 - 19:00 Seminarraum SEM63 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum 6.OG
- N Thursday 18.06. 09:00 - 13:00 Ort in u:find Details
- Thursday 18.06. 14:00 - 18:00 Ort in u:find Details
- Friday 19.06. 09:00 - 13:00 Ort in u:find Details
- Friday 19.06. 14:00 - 18:00 Ort in u:find Details
Information
Aims, contents and method of the course
Hans Kelsen, the founder of "Reine Rechtslehre", has a threefold relationship to constitutional jurisdiction: first, as a leading legist and commentator on the main piece of the B-VG 1920 on the "Guarantees of Administration and Constitution", second, as an active judge of the Constitutional Court until 1929, and third, as a defender of the concept of constitutional jurisdiction within the framework of German constitutional law, especially in the conflict with Carl Schmitt over the "Guardian of the Constitution". The seminar is dedicated to these three connections and their mutual relations, with constitutional dogmatic, constitutional history, comparative constitutional and legal sociological elements playing a role. The aim of the seminar is to gain a deeper understanding of constitutional jurisdiction, its development, present and future, both in general institutional terms and with particular reference to Austrian constitutional jurisdiction.
Assessment and permitted materials
Presentation , without PowerPoint and Seminar paper and Participation in the discussions. A diploma seminar paper (DSA) written lege artis for diploma students to a longer extent than the seminar paper. A DSA is an independent scientific achievement of individual students. The use of AI tools for the written work is not generally prohibited because it cannot be prevented, but in fairness these means may only be used as aids, and their use must also be noted in the work.
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
Very good knowledge of the current system of Austrian constitutional jurisdiction, basic knowledge of pure legal doctrine, interest in and enjoyment of different perspectives, as well as a general sense of the political significance of constitutional law are required.
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria:
• Attendance throughout the seminar.
• Presentation of 20-30 minutes (without PP) and distribution of a thesis paper to the participants.
•Timely submission of the final version of the seminar paper (date will be announced in the first units). Length of the seminar paper: approx.25.000 charact. (see notes in moodle).
• Reflection, participation in the discussion.
Oral (presentation, participation) and written performance (seminar paper) are equally weighted in the seminar grade.In addition, for diploma students: Submission of a diploma seminar paper (instead of the conventional seminar paper) of at least 50,000 characters, apart from the table of contents, list of abbreviations and bibliography (along the guidelines of the "Checklist for Scientific Work", which can be found on moodle).
The diploma thesis seminar grade only evaluates the written seminar paper. (The minimum requirements also apply to diploma students - see above).
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria:
• Attendance throughout the seminar.
• Presentation of 20-30 minutes (without PP) and distribution of a thesis paper to the participants.
•Timely submission of the final version of the seminar paper (date will be announced in the first units). Length of the seminar paper: approx.25.000 charact. (see notes in moodle).
• Reflection, participation in the discussion.
Oral (presentation, participation) and written performance (seminar paper) are equally weighted in the seminar grade.In addition, for diploma students: Submission of a diploma seminar paper (instead of the conventional seminar paper) of at least 50,000 characters, apart from the table of contents, list of abbreviations and bibliography (along the guidelines of the "Checklist for Scientific Work", which can be found on moodle).
The diploma thesis seminar grade only evaluates the written seminar paper. (The minimum requirements also apply to diploma students - see above).
Examination topics
This is a seminar, so there is no examination and therefore no examination material – the basis for the performance assessment is the presentation, timely submission of the written work and participation in the discussion.
Reading list
The current textbooks of Austrian constitutional law are fundamental,
furthermore: Thomas Olechowski, Hans Kelsen. Biografie eines Rechtswissenschaftlers (2020).
The 2nd edition of "Reine Rechtslehre" from 1960 is digitally accessible.
The indication of special literature will be made after the distribution of the papers in the first seminar unit on 11 March 2026. The search for further and special literature is then part of the preparation of the presentation.
furthermore: Thomas Olechowski, Hans Kelsen. Biografie eines Rechtswissenschaftlers (2020).
The 2nd edition of "Reine Rechtslehre" from 1960 is digitally accessible.
The indication of special literature will be made after the distribution of the papers in the first seminar unit on 11 March 2026. The search for further and special literature is then part of the preparation of the presentation.
Association in the course directory
Last modified: Mo 09.02.2026 15:05