Program Requirements
The Doctor of Civil Law (D.C.L.) program allows the development of substantive and original contributions to legal research and knowledge under the supervision of a faculty member.
The degree will be awarded, at the earliest, after the completion of 3 years of residence in the Faculty. The core of the D.C.L. program is a substantial thesis of up to 400 pages that makes a significant contribution to legal scholarship, evidencing in concept and execution the original work of the candidate. The thesis must be submitted within 4 years of completion of the residency requirement. Every candidate must successfully pass a comprehensive examination, after one year which may occur in the first year of the program, but no later than the end of the second year of the program.
Comprehensive - Required
Every candidate must successfully pass a comprehensive examination, usually after one year in the program.
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LAWG 701 Comprehensive Exam - Law
Overview
Law General : An examination comprised of written and oral components that must be passed by all doctoral candidates in order to continue in the doctoral program.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restriction: D.C.L. graduate students in Law.
Required Courses (5 Credits)
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CMPL 641 Theoretical Approaches to Law (3 credits)
Overview
Comparative Law : Introduction to a variety of theoretical approaches to legal scholarship.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Antaki, Mark; Rosenblum, Darren (Fall)
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LAWG 702 Legal Research Methodology for DCL (2 credits)
Overview
Law General : Instruction in legal scholarship and research methodology, including proposal development and electronic legal research geared towards DCL students.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Sheppard, Colleen (Fall)
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LAWG 703 Literature Review, Analysis and Proposal
Overview
Law General : Submission of final subject, methodology and bibliography to committee for feedback. Prepare Analysis of literature (approx. 15,000 words covering theory, methodology, literature review/critical analysis, and gap(s) in the literature). To be completed by the end of the first year (DCL 2) of the DCL program.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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LAWG 704 DCL Research Seminar 1
Overview
Law General : Develop theoretical perspectives and orientation of thesis. Written and oral presentation of DCL thesis research by the DCL candidate to the candidate鈥檚 supervisor, thesis advisory committee and other interested individuals. Must be completed by end of third year (DCL 4).
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken LAWG 702
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LAWG 705 DCL Research Seminar 2
Overview
Law General : Students need to demonstrate significant development of their research project, including development of theoretical perspectives and orientation of thesis. Written and oral presentation of DCL thesis research by the DCL candidate to the candidate鈥檚 supervisor, thesis advisory committee and other interested individuals. Must be completed by 4th year (DCL 5).
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Complementary Course (0-3 Credits)
Some students are encouraged to take the following:
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LAWG 601 Communication 1 (1.5 credits)
Overview
Law General : Key writing and research strategies for graduate students in law.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Abram, Zachary (Fall)
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LAWG 602 Communication 2 (1.5 credits)
Overview
Law General : Key writing and research strategies for graduate students in law.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Abram, Zachary (Winter)
Prerequisite(s): LAWG 601.
