LL.M. Legal Theory
The LL.M. in Legal Theory is a unique programe that offers an array of select theoretical courses on Law. We approach legal theory to include critical reflection on issues in domestic as well as international law that integrates methodologies and perspectives from several disciplines such as legal history, political philosophy, cultural anthropology, political economy, social and political psychology, public policy, feminist legal theory, critical legal theory, Indic knowledge systems and Indology etc. to gain a multidimensional understanding of legal problems.
The programme builds on collaborative efforts of the different departments of the CVV and creates an excellent opportunity for interdisciplinary engagement with leading scholars from India and abroad in a lively intellectual community. The programme is a highly distinctive course centered on lectures and seminars delivered by some of the most leading theorists designed for highly motivated students who wish to seek a career in academia.
Key Outcomes
- The students shall sharpen their already acquired skills of legal interpretation with a clear grasp on the method of analytical conceptualism.
- The students shall learn Indian Legal History, and shall become aware of the theoretical and cultural frameworks in which they are operating as lawyers and jurists and can better analyse the idea of “law” and “justice”.
- The students shall inculcate an instinct for discerning the interests of the various stakeholders of legal policy, identify trade-offs in terms of social, economic, cultural, political and legal feasibility, and better articulate their legal positions before the concerned authorities and the general public.
- The students are expected to develop good communication skills, both written and oral, in order to place forward their learned-recommendations before the stakeholders.
- The students are also expected to pick up essentials research skills to take forward the project of Indian Legal Theory and Jurisprudence.
Courses offered in the Programme:
Core Courses:
The core courses of the programme cover important concepts and texts in Legal Theory and follow generally the global pattern and standards. The students therefore will acquire a real competitive edge in the global legal academia. The following core courses are offered under this programme:
- Fundamentals of Legal Theory
- Comparative Public Law
- Advanced Jurisprudence
- Law and Justice in globalizing world
- Research Methods in Law and Theory
Elective Courses:
Electives courses are optional courses designed for promoting student interest and purposes in the teaching-learning process. A student by choosing different electives within their specialization can either opt to expand the breadth of taught course or to increase their in-depth knowledge in some select areas of the specialization. Theses courses are subject to student-faculty consensus. The Elective Courses currently offered are:
Group I – Interdisciplinary Understanding of Law:
- Law and Public Policy
- Law and Political Sociology
- Law and Psychology
- Law and Economics
- Introduction to Philosophy
- Fundamentals of Nyaya and Mimansa
- Introduction to Legal Anthropology
- Introduction to Legal Philosophy
Group II – Important works from Indian Legal History
- Arthasastra
- Bharhaspatyam and Aushanasam
- Dharma Sutras – An introduction
- Selected Smriti Texts
- Gandhian Notions of Justice
- Contributions of Islamic Jurisprudence in Indian Administration
- European Makeover of Indian Legal System
Group III – Contemporary Legal Developments
- Theory and History of International Law
- Indian Constitutional Law: Design and Development
- Contemporary Issues in Legal, Moral and Political Philosophy
- Works of International Law Commission
Foundation Courses:
Foundation courses are designed to give a clear understanding of major principles of Bharatiya Darshanas, Indian history and Culture. These course help students to apply traditional Indian Knowledge to contemporary fields.
The following are the foundation courses offered for the current programme:
- Introduction to Indic Knowledge Systems
- Indian Conceptions of Dharma and Niti
- Tarka Sangraha – Introduction to Nyaya Sastra and Law
Self Immersion Courses:
Each student is required to take two courses in this category. These courses provide an opportunity for students to involve themselves deeply in introspection and societal orientation. The following are the experiential immersion courses that students will be required to take:
- Yoga
- Seva