Teaching the Rule of Law Toolkit

What is the rule of law, and how do different traditions (Western liberal, socialist, Islamic, etc.) define it differently? What distinguishes the “rule of law” from “rule by law”? Is the rule of law primarily a formal concept (focused on procedural regularity) or a substantive one (requiring certain rights and freedoms)? What is the relationship between the rule of law, democracy, and human rights?

These are just some of the questions a rule of law curriculum should raise for students to consider and debate.  Teaching the rule of law should encourage students to think critically about both the aspirational ideals and the practical realities of the rule of law in historical and contemporary practice. As we face growing threats to the rule of law and experience backsliding democracies across the globe, teaching students about the rule of law is increasingly important.

The Neukom Center’s Rule of Law Toolkit seeks to facilitate the teaching of the rule of law by gathering and sharing syllabi and other course materials from across the world, enabling faculty and students to better share information and knowledge to advance our understanding of the rule of law.