News Briefs
Issue date: 2/8/06 Section: Briefs
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African law class proves big success
Having extensive knowledge and practical experience in the field of public law, visiting Professor Jeremy Sarkin is imparting the wisdom he has gained from working around the world to students at the Washington and Lee University School of Law.
Sarkin is currently teaching a course entitled "Transitional Justice in African Cultures," which focuses on the legal proceedings dealing with issues such as genocide, reparations, constitutional law and the operations of state in countries making the transition to autonomy, such as after a period of colonialism.
The five month spring term course, which has been a tremendous success with students, integrates many issues into one comparative study of public law. It focuses on African countries whose public policy is still being formulated, such as South Africa, Rwanda and Sudan.
"The students are very motivated," says Sarkin, "[each with] various reasons for taking the course." Some students seek an international career, while others have a specific interest in Africa and want to work there in the future. Several signed up simply because of the novelty of the subject matter, interested in learning about a new facet of law.
Sarkin comes with a background to teach the course. Born in South Africa, he has worked with many burgeoning countries and has helped shape their present legal systems.
After studying at the University of Natal, Harvard Law School and the University of the Western Cape, Sarkin went on to practice law both in New York and South Africa as an advocate and an attorney.
Concentrating on the fields of human rights and constitutional law, Sarkin worked on the Human Rights Committee of South Africa, where he investigated many human rights issues and helped shape South African law pertaining to the subject.
Sarkin has had a hand in forming the now 10-year old constitution of South Africa. He wrote extensively in the fields of constitutional law, human rights and transitional justice.
Having extensive knowledge and practical experience in the field of public law, visiting Professor Jeremy Sarkin is imparting the wisdom he has gained from working around the world to students at the Washington and Lee University School of Law.
Sarkin is currently teaching a course entitled "Transitional Justice in African Cultures," which focuses on the legal proceedings dealing with issues such as genocide, reparations, constitutional law and the operations of state in countries making the transition to autonomy, such as after a period of colonialism.
The five month spring term course, which has been a tremendous success with students, integrates many issues into one comparative study of public law. It focuses on African countries whose public policy is still being formulated, such as South Africa, Rwanda and Sudan.
"The students are very motivated," says Sarkin, "[each with] various reasons for taking the course." Some students seek an international career, while others have a specific interest in Africa and want to work there in the future. Several signed up simply because of the novelty of the subject matter, interested in learning about a new facet of law.
Sarkin comes with a background to teach the course. Born in South Africa, he has worked with many burgeoning countries and has helped shape their present legal systems.
After studying at the University of Natal, Harvard Law School and the University of the Western Cape, Sarkin went on to practice law both in New York and South Africa as an advocate and an attorney.
Concentrating on the fields of human rights and constitutional law, Sarkin worked on the Human Rights Committee of South Africa, where he investigated many human rights issues and helped shape South African law pertaining to the subject.
Sarkin has had a hand in forming the now 10-year old constitution of South Africa. He wrote extensively in the fields of constitutional law, human rights and transitional justice.