The University of Heidelberg, founded 640 years ago, is now one of the best universities in Europe.  Situated in the charming and romantic city of Heidelberg, the university has a lovely and historic campus.  With over 20,000 students, including about 15-20% coming from outside Germany, there is a lively student atmosphere on campus and nearby.

The School of Law itself has a distinguished history and a sterling reputation.  Courses cover all areas of law, with special emphasis on European, international, and comparative law.  The language of instruction is German, so Georgetown students will need to have fluency or near-fluency in German.

American exchange students receive special benefits.  They can participate in free German language classes that are offered every March.  The university also offers American law students housing in a dormitory.  Although the students need to pay the rent, American students can apply for a stipend.

Up to two Georgetown students a year can study at Heidelberg under our new exchange agreement with the Heidelberg School of Law.  Heidelberg winter semester (mid-October through mid-February) and a spring/ summer semester (mid-April through mid-July).  However, for academic year 2007-08, only the spring/ summer semester in 2008 is open to Georgetown students because it can substitute for the American spring semester without conflicting with another semester.

If Georgetown students attend the Heidelberg summer semester, they will have nearly 3-1/2 months between the end of the Georgetown fall semester and the start of the Heidelberg summer semester, which would allow them to have an internship or other position.  Also, the Georgetown students will have about five to six weeks between the end of the Heidelberg summer semester in mid-July and the start of the next Georgetown fall semester, which would also allow for an internship or other position.

Among the general courses the Faculty of Law usually offers in the summer semester are: Constitutional Law I and II; Administrative Law; Basic Course in Civil Law (General Principles, Contracts, Torts); Civil Procedure; Commercial and Economic Law, Criminal Law; European Law; International Law ( Public International Law, Voelkerrecht); and Philosophy of Law.   The Faculty of Law also offers clusters of specialized courses (Schwerpunktbereiche) which are taught during a two or three semester period. These clusters include the following specializations:

1. The administration of justice in national and international civil law.

2. The administration of justice in criminal law and criminology.

3. Government and administration in national, European, and international perspective.

4. German and European labor and social law.

5. Corporate law and tax law.

6. The European internal market and global economic law.

7. International law in matters of private law and international cooperation.

In each of these clusters, about ten different courses are being offered*.   For more detailed information, click on

http://www.jura-hd.de/staatsexamen.html

There, you find the courses regularly taught in the winter semester under "Wintersemester" or "WS", the summer semester courses under "Sommersemester" or "SS".   As to the particular offerings of the present semester, click on http://www.jura-hd.de/lehrveranstaltungen.html.

The general website of Heidelberg University is www.uni-heidelberg.de, and the law faculty website is http://www.jura-hd.de.

Click here for the Heidelberg Semester Abroad application

*Please note that these courses are subject to change.

First Day of Classes	April 07, 2008
Vacation	May 1, 17, 28
Last Day of Classes	July 19, 2008
Exam Dates**	Set up by Professor

**In Germany, there are no obligatory tests at the end of the semester.  Therefore, Law Center students must arrange an exam with each Professor.  Often, these exams are oral.

After considering the material here and on the Heidelberg websites, a student who is interested in participating in Georgetown’s Semester Abroad Program at Heidelberg might seek the advice of Gregory Klass, Faculty Advisor for the Heidelberg program.  His telephone number is 202-662-4028 or he can be contacted by email.   Students who are admitted to the Heidelberg program should consult with Prof. Klass regarding course selection.

Revised November 5, 2007(CM)