Writing Law Dissertations | 0:e upplagan

CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter 1. How to Begin

      - Introduction

      - What is 'research'?

      - What is a 'dissertation'?

      - How to choose your dissertation topic

      - Specific suggestions for getting you started

      - Identifying the key issues and marginal issues in your dissertation

      - Is the research viable in practice?

      - Putting pen to paper

      - Conclusion

Chapter 2. Getting Along With Your Supervisor

                  - Introduction

                  - Choosing your supervisor

                  - When to choose

                  - What can you expect from your supervisor?

                  - The role of the dissertation supervisor

                  - Devise your own 'learning contract'

                  - At the beginning of your supervision

                  - Writing the dissertation

                  - Meeting your supervisor

                  - Reviewing draft chapters

                  - How much supervision?

                  - Making the most of constructive criticism and formative feedback

                  - Common problems with supervision

                  - Conclusion

Chapter 3. Selecting Suitable Approaches to the Conduct of Dissertation Research

                  - Introduction

                  - Resistance to methodological discussion

                  - Positive reasons for engaging in methodological discussion

                  - Recognising the implications of the tension between different research methodologies

                 - Avoiding the pitfalls of selecting an inappropriate methodology

                 - Conclusion

Chapter 4. Black-Letter Approaches to Doctrinal Research

                 - Introduction

                - Towards a provisional working definition: black-letter law as legal formalism  

                - Other features of the black-letter approach

                - The centrality of classic textbooks

                - Insulating the dissertation topic from ‘external’ factors

                - Setting and answering the question: what is the legal position on X?

               - The requirement to reveal a system of underlying principles ordering legal rules

              - Searching for coherence and systematic order

              - Legal principles and rules are largely determinate

              - The standpoint of black-letter analysis

              - Wider strategies of selective exclusion

             - The focus on law in books

             - Deductive methods of reasoning from first principles

            - Law as a distinct and unique discipline

            - The restricted character of black-letter forms of criticism of law

            - Questions of evaluation: the advantages and problems of black-letter analysis

            - Conclusion

Chapter 5. Sociolegal Approaches to the Conduct of Dissertation Research

                - Introduction

                - Defining sociolegal studies

                - The diversity of topics and themes addressed by sociolegal studies

                - The emphasis on law in action

                - Policy and the power of ideologies

                - The diversity of research methods used in sociolegal studies

                - Ethical and other normative dimensions

               - Strengths and criticisms of sociolegal approaches

               - Conclusion