Парижский университет Пантеон-Ассас: История и современность

French university in Paris

Paris Panthéon Assas University (, ynivɛʁsite paʁi pɑ̃teɔ̃ asas), commonly known as Panthéon Assas or Paris 2 ( paʁi dø), is a university in Paris, often described as the top law school of France. It is considered the direct inheritor of the Faculty of Law of Paris ("the Sorbonne"), the second oldest faculty of Law in the world, founded in the 12th century. Following the 1970 split of the University of Paris, often referred to as the 'Sorbonne,' in the aftermath of the May 68 events, law professors faced decisions regarding the future of their Faculty. 88 out of 108 law professors elected to sustain the legacy of the Faculty of Law of Paris by establishing a new university dedicated to the study of law. The university is housed within the same two buildings that previously accommodated the Faculty of Law of Paris. Panthéon Assas, now an independent university, continues to offer the law courses associated with Sorbonne University, having declined to officially integrate as one of its faculties. The majority of the 19 campuses of Panthéon Assas are located in the Latin Quarter, Paris, with the main campuses on Place du Panthéon and Rue d'Assas, hence its current name. The university is composed of five departments specializing in law, political science, economics, journalism and media studies, and public and private management, and it hosts 24 research centres and five specialized doctoral schools. Every year, the university enrolls approximately 18,000 students, including more than 3,000 international students.

The University of Paris, commonly referred to as the 'Sorbonne,' was founded in the middle of the 12th century and officially ceased to exist on 31 December 1970, following the student protests of 1968. Following the University of Paris split, the majority of law professors (88 out of 108) opted to maintain the essence of the Faculty of Law of Paris by reestablishing it as a new university. Panthéon Assas is considered today as direct inheritor of the Faculty of Law of Paris. The official name of the university was changed to 'Paris II Panthéon Assas University' in 1990. The name Panthéon Assas is a reference to the main addresses of the pre 1968 Faculty of Law of Paris, which are now part of the university; namely, the buildings on Place du Panthéon and Rue d'Assas. The university is also referred to as 'Assas' or 'Paris II,' 'Sorbonne Assas' and 'Sorbonne Law School'. After the creation of a new Sorbonne University, to which Panthéon Assas provides law courses in joint degrees, Sorbonne University wanted to integrate Panthéon Assas as a faculty of law but Panthéon Assas preferred to remain an independent university within the Sorbonne system. In 2022, its official name became Paris Panthéon Assas University.

Panthéon Assas is governed by an administration council, a scientific council, and a council for studies and university life. Members of these boards serve two year terms. The president of Panthéon Assas is elected by members of the administration council, for a four year tenure; he or she presides over this council. The president is assisted by two vice presidents and several professors elected within their respective academic departments. Members of the administration council choose the faculty representatives who make up the scientific council. The university inherited the academic departments from the Faculty of Law of Paris. It currently houses five of them: one for private law and criminal sciences, one for public law and political science, one for Roman law and legal history, one for economics and management, and one for journalism and communication.

The university has 18 campuses in Paris, 1 in the town of Melun, and other campuses abroad.

In 1753, Louis XV decided that a new building would be constructed for the Faculty of Law of Paris. Jacques Germain Soufflot, alumnus of the Faculty who had become the architect of the King designed and supervised the construction. It took place from 1771 to 1773 and the new building opened in 1774. Nowadays, the administration offices and postgraduate studies (masters' and doctoral studies) are located in it. It is situated at 12 Place du Panthéon. It is registered among the national heritage sites of France.