June 2010
Position Opening: ALEP Postdoctoral Fellow
Applications considered on a rolling basis and due no later than July 2, 2010. For details, please see the full position description and application requirements under "Jobs & Links."
December 2009
The American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) has launched the Legal Studies Program and the Certificate in Legal Studies, designed in cooperation with the Afghanistan Legal Education Project at Stanford Law School (ALEP).
The Legal Studies Program at AUAF aims to provide students with both a sound understanding of the role of law in society and an introduction to the profession of law. The program provides students with an awareness of the legal challenges they will face in their careers and equips them to work within the law to meet those challenges. The knowledge and analytical skills students gain in the Legal Studies Program will prepare them to be leaders in their communities and chosen professions.
The Legal Studies Program offers both basic and advanced law courses, including Introduction to Afghan Law, Commercial Law I and II, and Criminal Law. Additional course offerings will be added each year. Students who successfully complete the Legal Studies Program will be awarded a Certificate in Legal Studies by AUAF. While not a major or concentration, the Certificate in Legal Studies recognizes a proficiency in the basic concepts and skills that form the foundation of the legal profession in Afghanistan. The Certificate in Legal Studies is open to all AUAF undergraduate students and may be earned at the same time as an AA or BA degree.
Although a Certificate in Legal Studies does not qualify graduates to practice law in Afghanistan, graduates will be better prepared to serve as effective leaders and responsible citizens. A Certificate in Legal Studies will indicate to employers that graduates have completed a rigorous supplementary program which has developed analytical, logical reasoning, and critical thinking skills, as well as the ability to write and speak persuasively.
ALEP’s Role
Founded in 2007, ALEP develops and implements innovative legal curricula on the laws of Afghanistan to help train Afghanistan’s future lawyers and leaders. Through a strategic partnership, ALEP assists AUAF in developing and coordinating the Legal Studies Program. Textbooks and other course materials developed by ALEP serve as the foundation for the classes in the Legal Studies Program at AUAF. The textbooks and other course materials developed by ALEP have been reviewed by top legal experts in the United States and Afghanistan and meet the rigorous standards of Stanford Law School and AUAF. ALEP's textbooks are available free of charge at the Publications section of this website. Should you have any questions or feedback, please email afghanistanlegaleducation@gmail.com.
