Program Overview
Program Overview
As an undergraduate, gaining knowledge and experience in the field of law can be a challenging task. CIEE study abroad in Madrid offers you the opportunity to improve your Spanish, while examining the relationships between law, political science, and human rights in the capital of Spain.
Through coursework offered in both English and Spanish, language tutors, site visits, a legal studies internship, and volunteer opportunities with legal professional, you’ll gain new perspectives, develop skills in critical analysis, and acquire unique, professional, international experience.
Study abroad in Madrid and you will:
- Take courses in Spanish language and culture
- Focus on the Spanish, EU and U.S. legal systems through a CIEE core course; take regular University courses in law and political science; consider a law-related internship
- Live with law graduates and professionals practicing in the field
- Continue learning outside the classroom through activities such as visits to Congress, Parliament, and the International Court
The CIEE Difference
The CIEE Difference
Coursework
Choose from specialized CIEE electives in law and politics in contemporary Spain, and enroll directly in legal studies coursework—offered in both English and Spanish—at Spain's most prestigious institution of higher education.
Internship
Gain practical work experience through a for-credit internship with a focus on legal matters. This exceptional internship immerses you in local work practices, giving you the opportunity to collaborate on site with a judge, lawyer, paralegal, prosecutor, the police, or an NGO.
Community Involvement
The CIEE volunteer program currently collaborates with local schools, associations, and outreach programs, giving you the opportunity to volunteer in the local community by assisting with legal advising and consultation, helping with legal administrative duties, or collaborating with legal professionals. Study abroad students with the Universidad Carlos III community also assist in university English language classes.
Dates, Deadlines & Fees
Dates, Deadlines & Fees
We want to make sure you get the most out of your experience when you study abroad with CIEE, which is why we offer the most inclusions in our fees.
- Tuition and housing
- Pre-departure advising and optional on-site airport meet and greet
- Full-time program leadership and support
- Field trips and cultural activities
- CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits
Please note, program dates are subject to change. Please contact your CIEE Study Abroad Advisor before purchasing airfare. Click the
button to view more detailed information about dates and fees.
Application Due
Start Date
End Date
Costs
Fall 2013 (16 wks)
Extended to: 04/15/2013
08/31/2013
12/21/2013
$16,850
Program Date Notes
Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
Program Fees
In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.
Participation Confirmation *
$300
Educational Costs **
$11,223
This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.
Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.
* non-refundable
** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
*** includes all meals
Estimated Additional Costs
International Airfare *
$1,750
Local Transportation
$600
Potential travel to consulate for visa
$500
The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.
* round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
Spring 2013 (19 wks)
10/01/2012
01/19/2013
06/01/2013
$16,850
Program Date Notes
Program Fees
In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.
Participation Confirmation *
$300
Educational Costs **
$11,223
This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.
Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.
* non-refundable
** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
*** includes all meals
Estimated Additional Costs
International Airfare *
$1,750
Local Transportation
$600
Potential travel to consulate for visa
$500
The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.
* round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
Spring 2014
10/01/2013
to be announced
to be announced
Program Date Notes
Program Fees
This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.
Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.
Estimated Additional Costs
The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.
Academic year 2013-2014
Extended to: 04/15/2013
08/31/2013
to be announced
$32,100
Program Date Notes
Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
Program Fees
In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.
Participation Confirmation *
$300
Educational Costs **
$21,248
This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.
Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.
* non-refundable
** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
*** includes all meals
Estimated Additional Costs
International Airfare *
$1,750
Local Transportation
$1,200
Potential travel to consulate for visa
$500
The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.
* round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
Eligibility
Eligibility
- Overall GPA 3.0
- 6 semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent to enroll in Advanced Spanish track
- 2 semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent to enroll in English track
Recommended Credit
Recommended Credit
Total recommended credit and a full course load for the semester is 15 semester/22.5 quarter hours, and for the academic year 30 semester/45 quarter hours.Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester credits to be in the program.
Contact hours for CIEE and regular University courses are 45 hours and recommended credit is 3 semester /4.5 quarter hours, unless otherwise indicated.
Program Requirements
Program Requirements
All study abroad students take Spanish language at their level, offered by UC3M; the CIEE core course: Law in Contemporary Spain, in Spanish or English; and three or four additional courses chosen from the CIEE Internship or direct enrollment courses offered in Spanish or English.
Students at the advanced level (5 to 6 prior semesters) must make one of these courses the CIEE Spanish Legal Language course to prepare for taking direct enrolment law courses in Spanish. Students at the advanced level have the option of enrolling in the CIEE Seminar on Living and Learning in Madrid.
About the City
About The City
Madrid, the capital of Spain, is located in the geographic center of the Iberian Peninsula. Points of interest include the historic center dating back to the Hapsburg Empire and world-renowned art museums, including the Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza. In addition to being a rich cultural heritage site, Madrid is a lively, artistic metropolis that can be experienced through its variety of food, tapas bars, dance shows, operas, music concerts, outdoor parks, jazz clubs, soccer matches, ethnic neighborhoods, and contemporary theater and cinema.
Meet The Staff
Meet The Staff
Senzeni Steingruber
Senzeni Steingruber, Resident Director, has a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and earned her Master’s in European Cultural Planning from De Montfort University (UK) where she focused on cultural diversity in the ethnic neighborhood of Lavapíes, Madrid. Senzeni has studied in Lausanne, Switzerland and Waterloo, Canada where she completed degrees in Architecture and Environmental Studies. She has lived in Berlin, Montreal, Rome, and Helsinki before settling in Madrid, where she has worked with the CIEE Study Center in Madrid since 2005. Senzeni speaks English, German, French, and Spanish.
Read More
Gaining knowledge and experience in the field of law and its professions before going to graduate school can be a challenging task. Madrid, the country’s capital and seat of Spanish government, offers an exceptional opportunity to explore the relationship between law, and its institutions and professions. Here the highest court, the Audiencia Nacional, tests out the Spanish constitution and other binding laws enacted to enforce such areas as governance, gender equality, penal codes, and human rights. Through site visits and an internship opportunity, you’ll experience how Madrileños adapt to European Union regulations and its debates, by looking closer at its most controversial case studies . In addition to taking regular University courses in law with Spanish students, you’ll gain analytic thought and problem-solving skills, as well as critical reading abilities that can assist in selective entrance to graduate programs in the United States. I look forward to welcoming you to your adventure in Madrid!
— Senzeni Steingruber, Resident Director
“”
Francisco Frisuelos
Francisco Frisuelos, Resident Coordinator, has Bachelor’s degree from the University of Seville and earned his Master’s in Film Studies from the Universidad Autonoma (Madrid) where he focused on British cinema during the Thatcher era. Francisco has been with CIEE since 2010 and is currently pursuing doctoral studies in Humanities/Art History at the Universidad Carlos III in Madrid.
Read More
Where You'll Study
Where You'll Study
Established in 1989, the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid has become one of Europe’s preeminent public universities, and after receiving the European Campus of Excellence award in 2010 is now recognized as Spain's most prestigious institution of higher education. It was the first and one of a few public universities to have adopted a U.S.-style academic calendar, and it has one of the highest percentages (42%) of full-time and tenured female faculty in Spain. The University is the educational center for some 20,000 students, with 4,000 students attending programs at the Getafe campus located in the southern metropolitan area.
Housing & Meals
Housing & Meals
Housing and meals are included in the study abroad program fee. Students live with one or more Spanish hosts, each of whom have unique backgrounds and are actively involved in the community. Hosts in the LS Program work in areas related to the law field (i.e. lawyers or in paralegal jobs) providing a handy approach to the Law profession. Housing is in central Madrid with a commute to campus of 30 to 45 minutes. Meal options vary and may include one or two meals per day provided by the host or CIEE program. Any meals not provided by the host are facilitated by university meal tickets. No curfews are enforced though students may be asked to divide the housekeeping tasks and have the option of participating in activities outside of the home with their hosts.
Academic year study abroad students have the option of living in a non-CIEE apartment during their second semester. It is required that they share the apartment with other Spanish speaking roommates. Students who choose this option are responsible for finding, leasing, and managing the apartment on their own and independently of the student housing program. Prior approval by the Housing Coordinator and Program Director is required.
Orientations
Orientations
You'll begin your study abroad experience in Madrid even before leaving home by participating in a CIEE online pre-departure orientation. Meeting with students online, the resident director shares information about the program and site, highlighting issues that alumni have said are important, and giving you time to ask questions. The online orientation allows you to connect with others in the group, reflect on what you want to get out of the program, and learn what others in the group would like to accomplish. CIEE’s aim for the pre-departure orientation is simple—to help you understand more about the program, and identify your objectives so that you arrive well-informed and return home having made significant progress towards your goals.
During the mandatory weeklong on-site orientation you will be introduced to the city, culture, and academic program. Orientation also provides practical information about safety and security while living in Madrid, and includes both structured activities and independent sightseeing. You'll have the opportunity to meet local peers through CIEE’s Spanish Student Network. A diagnostic language skills examination will also be conducted at the University to determine your linguistic level, ensuring you are placed in the appropriate language courses. Ongoing support is provided by CIEE staff on an individual and group basis throughout the program.
The Universidad Carlos III also holds a two-day orientation for study abroad students which is included in the CIEE orientation program.
Internet
Internet
You are encouraged to bring a wireless-enabled laptop. All CIEE accomodations provide Internet access. In addition, the University campus has a public wireless Internet service, and you'll have unlimited access to an extensive network of computer workstations and labs for class-related activities on campus. Students receive an individual University email account and full access to Aula Global, where they can check their course registration and grades as well as professors’ notes and additional course materials. CIEE Study Center also has Internet access available for your use.
Culture
Culture
The academic study abroad program is supplemented with required cultural activities, field trips to points of interest in the Madrid metropolitan area, and two weekend excursions to historical sites in Spain. These may include visits in Madrid (Congress, Parliament, the High Courts, or guided tours of the historic district), day excursions to historic Toledo to explore its Jewish and legal heritage, the Natural Park of Hoces de Duratón, the Monastary of El Escorial, the Roman architecture of the city of Segovia, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alcalá de Henares, or the Royal Palace and gardens of Aranjuez, as well as a weekend excursion to see the governing institutions of the EU in The Hague (Netherlands). CIEE offers one additional weekend trip for all participants which may be to Asturias, Galicia, Extremadura, or Andalusia on the peninsula or Tenerife, Lanzarote, or La Gomera in the Canary Islands. Field trips and excursions supplement class work and introduce students to the rich diversity of the geographic, linguistic, and cultural areas of Spain and its major cities.
The University’s Espacio de Estudiantes organizes a number of cultural and sports activities in which you are expected to participate alongside Spanish students. You can choose from basketball, hiking, regional excursions, theater, dance, music, orchestra, rock climbing, kayaking, swimming, aerobics, and much more.
Immersion
Intercambios
CIEE, in collaboration with the University’s Aula de Idiomas, organizes conversation exchanges (Intercambios) between Spanish students at the Universidad Carlos III and CIEE participants. Intercambios give you the chance to put into action what you are learning in your language course, meet your Spanish peers, and set up individual language activities. You may also participate in the American English Language Exchange (AELE) conversation practice sessions that will help you meet Spanish peers and develop your intercultural and teaching abilities.
Community Involvement
The CIEE volunteer program collaborates with local schools, associations, and outreach programs giving you the opportunity to volunteer in the local community by assisting with legal advising and consultation, helping with legal administrative duties, or collaborating with legal professionals. In conjunction with the Universidad Carlos III community, you'll also be able to teach in university English language classes.
Personal Skills Development and Culture Workshops
In conjunction with the Universidad Carlos III and the CIEE Spanish Student Network, CIEE coordinates a series of non-credit workshops each semester dealing with personal development while living abroad. Some workshops are open only to CIEE study abroad students, while others allow interaction with Spanish students and invited speakers. Past workshop topics have included culture shock, dating across cultures, race and identity issues, eating well and basic cooking methods, stress management, job interview skills, and re-entry at the end of the semester.
Language Tutors
You'll have the opportunity to check your written assignments and receive language help at the University’s Aula de Idiomas. Additional language support is offered for regular University courses. With CIEE supervision, students enrolled in these courses may find tutors (either graduate students or classmates) who are willing to help them get the most out of the class. In general, tutors meet for an hour, once a week, for up to 10 weeks.
Internship
A for-credit internship with a legal focus is available to you with the purpose of immersing you in local work practices within the legal arena in order to acquire direct, hands-on experience in the field. On-site work is complemented by a solid academic component with regular seminars, tutorials, and office hours.
Academics
Academics
The CIEE Legal Studies study abroad program is designed for students with limited Spanish language skills up to advanced Spanish language students who are highly motivated to improve their language skills through coursework in law, political science, and human rights, tought in English or Spanish, and a Legal Studies internship in Madrid.
Academic Culture
The Law Department at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid offers various degree programs with a total enrollment of nearly 1,200 students. All courses are held in classroom buildings on the Getafe campus, where the Department of Law and the CIEE Study Center office are located. Courses are academically challenging, dynamic, and involve daily reading and homework assignments, as well as required attendance at lectures. The size of regular University courses varies from 25 to 80 students. The Law in Contemporary Spain and The Politics of Legal Language courses may have up to 15 students per class. University classrooms are modern, comfortable, and equipped with the most up-to-date technology used for instruction. Students undertaking an internship meet regularly with the course coordinator and other CIEE students, but participants spend the majority of their internship for credit with an individual supervisor at the practicum site.
Universidad Carlos III is one of the few public universities in Spain with new education guidelines according to European Union regulations set forth in the Bologna Agreement, resulting in an academic schedule that is very similar to U.S. higher education. The CIEE courses offered in the fall semester begin in late August and end in December. Students enrolled in regular courses in the Law Department during the fall can arrange to take early exams in December. The spring semester program begins in late January and runs through late April or late May. Any extended travel should take place prior to the start of the program, during vacation periods, or upon completion of the study abroad program.
Nature of Classes
Participants take regular University courses with Spanish and international students. The required core course, Law in Contemporary Spain, as well as The Politics of Legal Language course are taken with other CIEE students.
CIEE Community Language Commitment
Students take part in the CIEE Community Language Commitment by speaking Spanish at all times (except in emergencies). This fosters a learning community that contributes to both Spanish language proficiency and the understanding of Spanish culture and society.
Grading System
In all courses, students are graded on class participation, in-class activities, homework assignments, examinations, papers, and oral presentations, similar to standards in the U.S. Numerical grades are given based on a 10-point scale and converted to a U.S. letter grade.
Language of Instruction
Spanish and English
Faculty
Regular University courses are taught by faculty from the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.
Course Description
Course Description
All Courses
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment.
CIEE Study Center Syllabi
To view the most recent syllabi for courses taught by CIEE at our Study Centers, visit our syllabi site.
Required CIEE Courses
LEGL 3001 MDLS
Law in Contemporary Spain
This class examines the EU and Spanish legal systems and looks at the different branches of law as they compare to the U.S. Students explore the making and implementation of laws and their related debates by looking at real case studies in Spanish contemporary media. The second half of the course places these developments in an international context and helps the student gain a critical understanding of practicing law. This course includes guest lectures by law experts as well as site visits to various institutions of law, public policy, and legal aid.
SPAN 4002 MDLS
The Politics of Legal Language
This class is designed in conjunction with the core course Law in Contemporary Spain. The course covers all four communicative skills (listening comprehension, oral communication, reading, and writing) with special emphasis on complex aspects of the language that are particularly challenging for English speakers. The course explores abstract functions of language such as expressing opinions, resolving conflicts, formulating complaints, making an argument, and negotiating with another party, especially as it pertains to courts, disputes, and conflict resolution. Grammatically, emphasis is placed on the correct use of the tools needed to achieve these aims—complex aspects of the various past tenses, the full range of subjunctive and conditional moods, and formal and informal registers. In addition, students are expected to grasp a comprehensive vocabulary of legal terms and concepts assigned by their professor. The course meets intensively before the other university classes begin in order to better prepare students linguistically, and then continues on a regular schedule. Required for Advanced Spanish track only.
CIEE Electives
CLST 3001 MADR
Spanish Cultural Studies: Seminar on Living and Learning in Madrid
The CIEE Seminar on Living and Learning in Madrid is designed to improve students' intercultural communication and competence while studying abroad by considering how Spaniards are different from and similar to themselves and others. The course offers opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom, to develop the insights and skills necessary to interact effectively and appropriately, and to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the cultural richness of Spain and the Spanish culture. Instructors: Senzeni Steingruber, CIEE Resident Director and Francisco Frisuelos, CIEE Resident Coordinator
INSH 3003 MDLS
Legal Studies Internship
Qualified students gain practical work experience through a for-credit internship with a focus on legal matters. Eligibility for the internship is determined by the student’s language ability, job skills, background, and professional attitude. The purpose of the internship is to immerse CIEE students into local work practices related to the legal profession. Students collaborate on site with a judge, lawyer, paralegal, prosecutor, the police, or an NGO, and work in tandem with the course instructor in reflecting on the experience. On-site internship experiences are complemented by a solid academic component, including regular tutorials, a professional journal, and evaluations. Total hours: 135. Recommended credit: 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours.
Regular University Courses
Please visit the University website for course information at www.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/degree_programmes/law/plan.
Students can directly enroll in University courses in the Law and/or related departments of Universidad Carlos III. The law courses do not require previous coursework in legal studies.
Law Study Program
English list:
Economic History
European Union Law
Historical Fundamentals of the Judicial System
Human Rights Theory and History
Information Technology Law
International Taxation
Internship
Law in Contemporary Spain
Legal Language
Mediation and Other Alternative Means of Conflict Resolution
Spanish Legal Language
The Spanish Legal System
Theory of Law and Sociology of Law
Spanish list:
Administrative Action in Specific Sectors
Autonomous Law
Basic Institutions of Administrative Law
Business Criminal Law
Civil Procedure Law
Constitutional Justice and Interpretation of the Constitution
Constitutional Organization of Government
Constitution and Sources of Law System
Construction of Legal Concepts
Contract Law
Corporate and Stock Market Law
Diplomatic and Consular Law
Environment Law
European Union Law
Execution of Sentences and Penitentiary Law
Family and Succession Law
Forced Execution and Special Civil Proceedings
Historic Foundations of the Legal System
History of the Constitutions
Human Rights Theory and History
Industrial Property and Commercial Advertising Law
Information Technology Law
Intellectual Property
International Cooperaton Instruments and Systems
International Taxation
Introduction to Civil Law
Labour Rights: Individual Labour Relations
Land Registry and Property Law
Law and Religion in Europe
Law of Obligations and Casualty Law
Legal Theory of Crime
Maritime and Air Law
Matrimonial Causes Law
Mercantile Contracting
Offenses against Persons and Society
Offenses against Public Patrimony and Civil Servant Offenses
Parliamentary Law
Private International Law, General
Private International Law, Special Section
Property Rights
Public Administration Contracting and Resources
Public Administration Organization and Activities
Public Liberties and Constitutional Rights
Public International Law I
Public Spending and Resource Funding
Roman Law
Social Security Law
Theory of Law and Sociology of Law
The Philosophy of Law
The Spanish Legal System
The Spanish Tax System
Trade Union Law and Labour Proceedings
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