Study Abroad: Cape Town, South Africa

CapeTown, South Africa
CapeTown, South Africa
June 7, 2012 - July 15, 2012

This ABA-accredited summer study-abroad program in Cape Town, South Africa will consist of three two-credit courses in different areas of comparative law.

The three courses will be taught by a combination of faculty members from the University of Missouri (MU) School of Law and the Law Faculty at the University of the Western Cape:

  • Comparative Constitutional Law
  • Comparative Criminal Justice
  • Comparative Dispute Resolution

The program will run from June 7, 2012 through July 15, 2012. Students will reside in De Waterkant Village, one of Cape Town’s trendiest neighborhoods, and will be transported to their classes at the University of the Western Cape. Field trips to the Cape of Good Hope, the Stellenbosch wine region, and Robben Island – the prison home of Nelson Mandella – and other scenic and historical locales are included in the itinerary.

Why South Africa?

The globalization of the world economy has redefined the tools needed by today's lawyer. This summer study abroad program provides American law students the opportunity to gain an international, multi-cultural perspective. Not only will they be exposed to one of the world's most fascinating new democratic regimes in one of the world's most vibrant, diverse cities, but they will interact with South African law students and professors from the University of the Western Cape.

We chose South Africa because of its unique role as the most developed country on the continent. The United States, the European Union and the multitude of NGOs are looking at South Africa as a political, economic, legal and social model for the continent. American lawyers and American law students interested in international business and law will benefit by understanding South Africa's unique legal system; a legal system that mixes a tradition of Roman-Civil Law and Common Law with the statutory and constitutional law that has developed in the ten years since the post-apartheid government was formed in 1994.

Finally, Cape Town is one of the world's more beautiful and dynamic cities. For more information about South Africa and Cape Town, visit the official South African Tourist site at http://www.aboutcapetown.com/.

Why The University of the Western Cape?

We also chose South Africa because the University of Missouri has had a special partnership with the University of the Western Cape since 1986, involving more than 40 academic disciplines. 2012 will mark the 9th year of the law school's study abroad program. For more information about the University of the Western Cape, go to http://www.uwc.ac.za/.

Contact Information

For more information, contact:

Professor James Levin
206 Hulston Hall
University of Missouri School of Law
Columbia, MO 65211

  • Phone: (573) 882-1630
  • E-Mail:
Professor Rod Uphoff
213 Hulston Hall
University of Missouri School of Law
Columbia, MO, 65211
  • Phone: (573) 882-3035
  • E-Mail:
For information about financial aid, contact:

Jeff Turnbull
Financial Aid Advisor
11 Jesse Hall
110 Hulston Hall (Monday and Thursday from 1 - 4:30)
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211

  • Phone: (573) 882-1383
  • E-Mail: