Type of course

Course content

The course covers relevant and general Norwegian, Nordic and international legal science topics and issues. It shall also contain topics and research questions that are of direct/indirect relevance to the individual student's doctoral project.

The course is split into three parts and includes:

• The national doctoral seminar on legal science and preparatory reading seminar.
• Subject-specific seminars (under the auspices of the faculty or other scientific departments), Nordic or international conferences, seminars or workshops (with international participation and lecturers, often abroad).
• The seminar "International legal research - advanced search and use"

Objectives of the course

The course will build on, and help develop, the understanding the students acquire during the other courses in the doctoral programme. The course will also help to train the students in participating in national and international academic discussions and help them establish networks with other doctoral students and researchers in Norway and abroad.

The purpose of the seminar "International legal research - advanced search and use" is to teach the students advanced search techniques to locate relevant literature. 

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

Assessment

The course has no formal examination. This must be viewed in the context of the students, after having completed all courses in the programme, submitting one or more pieces of work that will be assessed for a PhD degree in legal science by an assessment committee appointed by the faculty.

The following teaching is compulsory:

It is compulsory for students to participate in two national doctoral seminars and preparatory reading seminars. Active participation is required, which means that all students must give a brief account of their preparations for the tuition in the preparatory reading seminars and attempt to link the subjects that are discussed to their own projects. Each student is also expected to present articles for discussion in the seminars.

It is compulsory for students to participate in one seminar in "International legal research - advanced search and use". The seminar lasts approximately 5 hours.

It is also compulsory for students to participate in subject-specific seminars, conferences or workshops equivalent to four working days (minimum 25 hours). They are free to choose the seminars, conferences or workshops they want to participate in.

Students must also give a brief account of their preparations for the tuition and attempt to link the subjects that are discussed to their own projects in subject-specific seminars, conferences or workshops that are arranged under the auspices of the faculty (e.g. research groups). The students are also expected to present articles or other materials for discussion.

In order for participation in such tuition that does not take place under the auspices of the faculty to be approved, the academic content must be of a satisfactory standard.

At least one day (five hours) must be spent participating in subject-specific seminars, conferences, or workshops of an international or Nordic character. The international or Nordic character requirement means that they must have participants and introductory speakers from other countries.

In order for completed participation in subject-specific seminars, conferences and workshops that does not take place under the auspices of the faculty to be approved, the student must submit a written report. The report must contain an overview of the academic content, introductory speakers, academic benefit and relevance, and an overview of the literature reviewed in advance of the seminar. The programme must be appended.