Programme Philosophy

The Ph.D. in Law degree program is designed to graduates for careers as legal scholars and teachers through a three-year program aimed at the production of a substantial body of academic research and writing. Unlike programs designed for students who wish to learn about law from the disciplinary perspectives of the social sciences or the humanities, the Ph.D. in Law program is directed at students who wish to pursue advanced studies in law from the perspective of law. This program offers young scholars an opportunity to contribute to the development of law as an academic field, and it provides an alternate pathway into law teaching. Students are provided with opportunity for specialization in any of the following areas; business law, criminal justice, International Law, Administrative Law and Constitutional Law.

You will begin work on your dissertation immediately. The curriculum begins with programs of research to help you determine your topic and incorporates credit-bearing dissertation research seminars with assistance blended into coursework. Expert faculty and advisors provide the right assistance at the right time when you need it. Each facet of your education builds on the others to take you seamlessly through your program and to your goal of a Ph.D. Hence, throughout the program, you will build a professional portfolio that demonstrates your doctoral competencies in legal practices

Programme Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the programme, graduates should be able to
  1. Develop methodological, analytical and professional skills in  scholarly  research
  2. Acquire a wide scope of theoretical understanding of Law
  3. Develop critical reasoning and analysis of legal evidence
  4. Conduct independent original research in Business Management Practices and processes
  5. Evaluate, Analyze and conduct relevant legal related research to gather evidence to solve real-life problems.
  6. Demonstrate professional and ethical leadership legal practices

 

 

PhD CURRICULUM STRUCTURE

CORE COURSES

Course Code

Course Name

Total Credit

 

PhCC101

Developing Academic Writing Process

 

4

PhCC103

Research Methods- Qualitative Research

 

4

PhCC102

Research methods - Quantitative Research

 

4

PhCC104

PhD Dissertation Research Seminar Track 1

 

4

PhCC105

PhD Dissertation Research Seminar Track 2

 

4

PhCC106

PhD Dissertation Research Seminar Track 3

 

4

PhCC108

Comprehensive Examination

 

4

PhCC00

Dissertation Writing

 

40

 

Total Credit

 

68

 

PhD specialization Courses

PhLA 105       Legal Methods                                                                                   (4 Credits)


Legal Methods

Course Description

The Course is designed to help students imagine writing projects of their own which put critical theory from the humanities and from legal studies "to work" in understanding some concrete dimension of the law. Readings will be a selected range of "classics" in literary, social and legal theory, paired with remarkable examples of legal-academic writing strongly engaged with them. The course discussions will aim for mastery of the former and a nuanced understanding of the interventions and methods exemplified by the latter.  The course thus seeks enable students to identify, analyse and research issues in any area of law. It is a bridge course designed to equip students with the basic skills and information necessary to navigate the law-related courses and activities during their law school life and later.

 

Course Outcomes

 At the end of this course, students should:

  • Demonstrate understanding of the debates around the nature of law;
  • Distinguish between the major kinds of law, legal systems and institutions;
  • Explain the structure of the legal institutions and the hierarchy of courts in Ghana
  • Acquire the ability to identify legal issues and principles underlying any given factual situation, and to undertake and present research on such issues;
  • Discuss the various sources of law in Ghana and be able to synthesise such sources and use them to formulate arguments in their research;
  • Analyse legal research sources and tools and basic techniques of legal and logical reasoning; and
  • Write clearly and succinctly, tailoring their writing to their audience and their purpose.