Course Syllabus of Zhongnan University of Economics and Law
Course Title: Legal research and thesis writing | ||||
Course Code | 41063015 | Semester | 1 | |
Teaching Hours | 64 | Credits | 4 | |
Prerequisites | None | |||
Instructor Information | ||||
Name | Jiang He | jianghe@zuel.edu.cn | ||
Institute | ZNUEL, International Education School | |||
Applicable Object | International Students | |||
Course Objectives | Legal research and thesis writing has been set up for the legal science specialized students to expand their knowledge system of courses, train and improve law students' research and writing ability through the learning of research method of law, essay writing of law, and the theory of law subject knowledge. The objectives of this course include: (1) teaching the method of legal learning; (2) communicating the method of writing legal papers; (3) teaching the basic academic norms. | |||
Course Description (200 words) | Through systematic knowledge explanation, this course can make students better master the learning and research methods of various disciplines of law, and on this basis, further master the writing methods and academic norms of legal papers. This course is organized by following three main lines: first, the general theory of academic writing; second, the method of writing a thesis; and then the specific steps of writing a thesis. It focuses on training students' ability to solve complex theoretical problems and practical problems, so that students can grasp the basic research methods of law discipline and the norms of paper writing, and write papers in line with the requirements of academic norms on this basis. | |||
Assessment Methods | Class presence 20% This assessment is subject to the attendance requirements. Participation in class discussions 20% Participation marks are based on a student’s contribution to class discussions. Marks reflect the quality and the quantity of a student’s participation. In preparation for the weekly seminar, students are expected to do the assigned readings. Paper writing 60% | |||
Textbooks and References | Johann Mouton, Basic concepts in the methodology of the social sciences Richard K. Neumann, Jr, Legal reasoning and legal writing Suzanne E. Rowe, Legal research writing and analysis Michael D. Murray, Organizing legal writing C.R.Kothari, Research Methodology Methods and Techniques Ranjit Kumar, Research Methodology Methods and Techniques | |||
Course planning | ||||
Chapter 1 | Introduction to academic writing Topic1: Definition Topic2: Basic features Topic3: Major categories Topic4: Introduction to and practice of international law | |||
Chapter 2 | Systematic knowledge for academic legal writing Topic1: Concept of academic legal writing Topic2: Characteristics of legal writing Topic3: Typology of legal writing Topic4: Sub-categories of legal writing | |||
Chapter 3 | From Legal Reading to/and Legal Writing Topic1: Systematic knowledge for legal reading Topic2: Note taking in reading Topic3: Hot issues of social concern Topic4: Inspirations accumulation and systematization Topic5: Thematic reading and study Topic6: Interactions between reading and writing | |||
Chapter 4 | The core question of legal writing Topic1: Writing stylistics for legal writing Topic2: Writing methods for legal writing Topic3: Logics and reasoning for legal writing | |||
Chapter 5 | Steps in legal writing Topic1: Before framing of outline Topic2: Framing of writing outline Topic3: After framing of writing outline | |||
Chapter 6 | Formality and procedures of legal writing Topic1: Theme or title of the dissertation/thesis Topic2: Access to information Topic3: Thesis proposal Topic4: Content and formatting of the paper | |||
