Fundamental Rights in Comparative Perspective – is a course jointly conducted by the Faculty of Law of Vilnius University and the University of North Carolina for students of both universities. The aim of the course is to enhance understanding of differences in human rights across different parts of the world, with particular focus on comparing fundamental rights as viewed in the United
States and in Europe. During the course, students from the University of North Carolina and Vilnius University Faculty of Law discuss similarities and differences between the U.S. Supreme Court and the regional human rights tribunals of Europe, Africa, and America in such key areas as freedom of expression, reproductive rights, environmental protection, migration regulation, privacy protection, and other.
The course is taught using an analytical dialogue format – students engage in discussions with instructors and each other, based on pre-assigned reading materials. Therefore, active participation in class is essential and mandatory. This is an elective course for students of the Vilnius University Faculty of Law, offered during the Spring semester.
Course instructors: Prof. Charles Szypszak (University of North Carolina), Assoc. Prof. Donatas Murauskas (Vilnius University Faculty of Law). Course assistant in 2026: Josie Zakrzewski (University of North Carolina).
The course is conducted under the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) framework of the University of North Carolina.
In 2023–2024, a course based on the same principles – Contemporary Issues of Public Law in Comparative Perspective: Europe and the USA – was successfully completed. More about the previous course: https://www.tf.vu.lt/news/student-teacher-dialogue-the-practice-of-training-lawyers-in-usa-applied-at-the-vu-law-faculty/
