Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Semester IV
(Batch 2018-23)
Academic Year 2019-20
By
Ms. Charvi Kumar
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1. INTRODUCTION
The study of law incorporates not just the learning of various rules, regulations
and judgments, but also a detailed enquiry into the logic and reasoning guiding
them. Given the rapid shifts in the socioeconomic and cultural landscape of the
present-day world, it is imperative for young learners of law to be well equipped
in not merely interpreting legal rules, but also understanding their flaws,
loopholes, and strengths, in order to build a better legal system through careful
understanding and reflection. This is, after all, what drives most contemporary
discussions around amendments and enactments of laws.
Law schools aspire to teach their learners how to think differently from the average
layperson, through a special ability of dealing with facts and evidence, coupled
with the capability of understanding the full context of a particular event, dispute
or decision. The possession of these abilities, ultimately, forms the cornerstone of
the merit and success of every lawyer, judge, scholar, and, indeed, human being.
e) To evaluate the logic behind various legislations and judgments and assess
their reasonability
f) To develop an innate sense of legal and judicial reasoning and formulate new
rules of laws
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B. Skills
The overall objective of this undergraduate course is to inculcate learners with the
following set of skills: general cognitive intellectual skills; general communicative
and employability skills; and subject specific skills.
Cognitive
The course demands that learners have the capacity to demonstrate insight in
presenting materials drawn from a wide and sometimes contradictory range of
primary and secondary sources as well as doctrinal commentary; and to
demonstrate an ability to produce a synthesis of those materials that offers a
personal and informed criticism.
Employability
This course on ‘legal reasoning and logic’ demands that the learners have the
capacity to learn how to interpret & apply the existing legal provisions in their
surroundings, so, they may learn how to settle the legal issues within our legal
framework. This course enhances their abilities to interpret the factual situations
as well.
Subject Specific
‘Law’ demands an ability to identify and select issues from the day to day life and
surroundings of humankind. It also demands the analysis of such identified issues
in order to assess and produce a well-supported legal framework in relation to
them.
C. Outcomes
Two key skills will be highlighted by this course. They are:
These skills will be central to learners’ success in completing this course’s scheme
of assessment.
While preparing for tutorials, learners will be asked to read, analyze and interpret
existing laws, including judgments. They will also be asked to use their knowledge
to support their answer to a number of hypothetical, factual or problem scenarios.
Independent Research
While preparing for the coursework assignment, particular emphasis will be placed
on independent learning i.e., the ability to take initiative in the research design
(individualized approach or plan of action) and conducting of research (external
legal and non-legal sources) on the stated assignment. The coursework in question
is deliberately broadly drawn, and is designed to enable the learners to be
innovative.
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Final Outcome Assessment is by compulsory coursework examination (100% -
Internal Assessment) by the Symbiosis Law School, NOIDA under the auspices of
Symbiosis International University (SIU), Pune.
3. LECTURES
You are notified that two online sessions with the help of ‘Banyan Tree @Curiosity’
will be conducted for Tutorial.We will be expecting your response/answer/reply
within stipulated time given. Those who will respond/answer/reply within the
stipulated time given shall be granted attendance for one lecture each. This
activity is compulsory for all and attendance so granted will form part of
the total attendance.
Learners will not be eligible to appear for the examination if they fail to put in the
required attendance. They can update themselves of their attendance daily online
in ‘Attendance’ on ‘Curiosity’ Portal at http://slsnoida.curiositylive.com
(b) Notifications
Learnersare informedthatnotice/s with respect to academic administration, if
required, will be sent using ‘Owl@Curiosity’, either by the Course in Charge or by the
Faculty in Charge. No notifications will be published in Library@Curiosity by
either the Course/Faculty in Charge, Academic Coordination or Learner.
Students are required to keep themselves duly informed.
Topic
Week Lecture
Week 1:
Lecture
23 Dec Discussion of Teaching Plan
1
2019
Lecture
Week 2: Discussion of Teaching Plan
2
29 Dec
Lecture 1. Introduction
2019
3 1.1. Legal Argumentation
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Lecture 1.2. Legal Reasoning and Legal Logic
Week 3:
4
5 Jan
Lecture
2020 1.3. Legal reasoning and Legal Norms
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Lecture 1.4. Objectives of Applying Legal Reasoning
Week 4:
6 and Logic
12 Jan
Lecture 1.5. Reasoning, Logic and Scientific
2020
7 Knowledge
Lecture
1.6. Reasoning, Idealism, and Pragmatism
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Week 5:
4. Legal Argumentation and Interpretation of
19 Jan
Lecture the Law
2020
9 4.1. Concept, Development and Need of Legal
Argumentation
Lecture
Week 6: 4.2. Arguments and Propositions
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26 Jan
Lecture 4.3. Constituents of Study of Argumentation
2020
11 4.3.1. Philosophical Estate
Lecture
Week 7: 4.3.2. Theoretical Estate
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2 Feb
Lecture
2020 4.3.3. Analytical Estate
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Lecture
Week 8: 4.3.4. Empirical Estate
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9 Feb
Lecture
2020 4.3.5. Practical Estate
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5. Kinds of Reasons
Lecture
Week 9: 5.1. Decisive Reasons
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16 Feb
2020 Lecture
5.2. Contributive Reasons
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Week 10:
Lecture
23 Feb 5.3. Abstract Reasons
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2020
Week 11: 5.4. Rules of Legal Reasoning
Lecture
1 Mar 5.4.1. Rules of Interpretation
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2020 5.4.2. Rules of Inference
5.4.3. Rules of Collision
Week 12:
Lecture 5.4.4. Rules to Determine Factual
8 Mar
20 Circumstances
2020
5.4.5. Rules of Procedure
Week 14: 2. Logic
Lecture
15 Mar 2.1. Reason Based Logic
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2020 2.2. Logic, Reasoning and Justice
Week 14: Lecture 3. Fallacy
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22 Mar 22 3.1. Formal and Other Forms of Fallacies
2020 3.2. Relevance of the Fallacies to the Legal
Argumentation
Week 15:
Lecture Application of legal reasoning, library work,
29 Mar
23 assignments and practicals
2020
Week 16:
Lecture Application of legal reasoning, library work,
5 Apr
24 assignments and practicals
2020
Week 17:
Lecture Application of legal reasoning, library work,
12 Apr
25 assignments and practicals
2020
4. READING MATERIALS
• De Bono Edward, Six Thinking Hats (Back Bay Books, 2nd edn 1999)
• Holland and Webb, Learning Legal Rules (Oxford University Press, 7th edn
2010).
• Jakko and Hoecke (eds.), Objectivity in Law and Legal Reasoning (Hart
Publishing, 2013).
Note: The above list is indicative and not exhaustive. Earlier editions/Latest
Editions of a number of the above texts might also be available and can be
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consulted once account is taken of their datedness, particularly as to applicable
case law. These texts were selected because they provide in one volume a
combination of text, cases and materials i.e., a “one-stop shop”.
Nevertheless, the text provides the basic reading for the course only. There is
much more to the Tort law than this, and you will undoubtedly benefit from
undertaking some reading and study of your own. It is creditable if you, in
respect of the proper use of independent research and study, follow up in the
Law Library some of the case references, periodical articles or other material
referred to in the prime textbook or in class – or even to do some research of
your own. For supplementary reading, you could, for instance, begin by
consulting the relevant sections of the “alternative” texts placed on loan in the
law library. Thereafter you could engage in your own research, with particular
reference to journals on online databases including SCC Online, LexisNexis,
Manupatra, WestLaw India, HeinOnline, JSTOR, ProQuest, Kluwer
Database (Kluwer Arbitration, Kluwer Patent, and Kluwer
Competition), CLAOnline, Ebrary, Emerald & EBSCO, andoffline
databaseincluding AIR.
5. ASSESSMENT:
Legal Reasoning and Logic is a 2 credit course so you will be examined in this
course for 50 marks.
Internal Assessment:
Internal examination will be conducted for 50 marks which will include three
modes; one project (10 marks), one tutorial (20 marks) and a Mock Negotiation
Exercise (10 marks).
One research project will be undertaken by each learner. It will be evaluated out
of 10 marks.
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In the research project, a case will be allotted to each learner; they are expected
to distinguish between the ratio and obiter dictum in the case, analyse it through
an interdisciplinary lens of logic and legal reasoning, and submit the same as per
schedule; further, they will have to submit original thoughts and reflections upon
the judgment based on an intersectional assessment of the case. The greater the
originality, the more points will be obtained by the learner. Other criteria for
evaluation will include the depth of research, grammar and flow, formatting and
footnoting style, and overall structure.
The details about the rules and format of submission are annexed with this
document. (Refer to Enclosure A).
➢ The case topics will be assigned by the Course-in-Charge and the list will be
uploaded on the date specified in the teaching plan.
➢ The project should state the details of the learner (Name, PRN, Division, and
Programme).
➢ As per the anti-plagiarism rules, projects with more than 20% plagiarized
content shall be marked zero.However, the course-in-charge reserves the
right to waive this limit as per her discretion in circumstances where the
majority of the plagiarism is in the footnotes.
Note: Learners are requested to ensure that their project files are renamed to
include their names and PRN before uploading them on Turnitin. Example:
Tim_James_03122019.docx.
i. Word Limit: 2500 words (any more will result in negative marking).
iv. The entire plagiarism report, of the text of the project only, not the cover
page etc,should be attached.
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Late submissions will not be accepted as learners have more than ample
time to submit the project before the last date. In exceptional
circumstances, learners will be allowed to submit their projects late;
nonetheless, they will incura deduction of one mark per day. Deduction of
the marks will be calculated from the last date of submission.
Project
Assignment Submission Result
December 24,
February 5, 2020 February 18, 2020
2019
The second component of the internal assessment shall be a tutorial. It will consist
of at least two open problems/questions, carrying a total of 20 marks.
The tutorial will provide learners with an opportunity of assessing their knowledge
of Legal Reasoning Skills. The tutorial will also provide them with an opportunity
to develop written skills of presentation and reasoned arguments. Lack of
preparation and a fortiori non-attendance will mean that learners will fail to make
the most of the learning opportunities provided by this tutorial. In order to achieve
the two stated skills objectives i.e. presentation and problem solving skills, one
tutorial is scheduled in this semester.
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The Banyan Tree Posting schedule is as follows:
These sessions are COMPULSORY for all learners. They should submit a quality
response/answer/reply within the stipulated date and time.Learners who comply
with these criteria will be granted attendance for one lecture each. A lack of
response from a learner will result in the learner being marked absent. Please
remember that the attendance so granted for the session/s will form part of the
total lectures and thus the overall attendance of the subject this semester.
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18/03/20 B 45 onwards 2:00 – 3:30 pm
All questions, comments, and feedback are welcome. While the lessons will be
seminar-style and all learners are encouraged to participate, those who do
struggle to speak in class are welcome to continue the conversation in person after
class as well. The aim is to give learners the greatest flexibility and autonomy over
their learning and thought process, especially when it comes to their distinct
analyses of the provided readings.
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Annexure A
The Maximum Marks for the project are 10. The final copy of the project should be
presented in accordance with the following specifications:
• Font: Verdana
• Alignment: Justified
• Page layout: left and right - 2 cm, top and bottom – 1.5 cm.
Note: Many of these format options will not appear in the Turnitin Report,
which is fine. However, learners are still advised to follow this structure for the
sake of uniformity, with careful attention to whether something should be
emboldened/italicised/underlined or whether it should be in
title/upper/sentence/lower case.
3. The candidate should use footnotes and not endnotes. Formatting for
footnotes:
• Single spacing
• Verdana size 10
4. The title of the project, name of the candidate, degree, faculty, university,
month and year of submission, and the name of the research guide with his/her
designation and full official address shall be printed on the first page and on the
front cover as given in Appendix ‘A’.
5. A certificate (Appendix ‘B’) affirming that the research work of the candidate is
original, and that the material, if any, borrowed from other sources and
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incorporated in the thesis has been duly acknowledged should be signed by the
candidate and counter signed by the research guide. It should also state that the
candidate himself/herself will be held responsible and accountable for plagiarism,
if any, detected later.
The candidate and research guide should further certify that research papers, if
any, published based on the research conducted out of and in the course of the
study.
6. The structure of the project should be made as per Appendix ‘C’. Learners are
advised to pay close attention to the rules.
(a) The report should include every aspect of the case analysis but NOT the
cover page, certificate, etc. This is to ensure the minimization of paper wastage
and unnecessary appearance of plagiarism in those pages.
(b) The title of the report and name of the learner should match the actual
title and learner’s name.
(c) The Turnitin report should have included every checkbox, “internet sources”,
“publications” and “student papers”.
(d) The word count of “Exclude matches” should be “<5 words” and not more.
(e) If it is later discovered that rules (c) and/or (d) were violated, 5
marks will automatically be deducted from the final score of the
learner.
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Appendix ‘A’ – Front Page and Cover
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Submitted by
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In
Month, year
MsCharvi Kumar
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Appendix ‘B’ – Certificate
C E R T IF IC AT E
The material borrowed from other sources and incorporated in the thesis has been
duly acknowledged.
Date:
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Appendix ‘C’ – Project Layout
• The certificate (as per Appendix ‘B’) signed by the candidate and counter-
signed by the research guide, unnumbered
4. If learners discover that their case is too long, they are requested to see the
course in charge to see if any specific aspect of the case may be undertaken
instead. If, instead, it turns out the judgment is too short, it is imperative to
mention the length in the project so that the marks received by them are fair and
not unnecessarily deducted owing to a prima facie impression of laziness on their
part.
CASE NAME
Introduction
The learners will introduce their topic here, giving an overview of the specific
approach they intend to take in the project.
In a separate paragraph, they must mention the Coram and the length of the
judgment.
Facts
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Relevant Laws and Issues
In this section, learners are expected to provide an overview of the laws applicable,
legislations, rules and regulations, precedents etc, and proceed to list the issues.
Judgment
Analysis
Judge’s Reasoning
Learners will lay out the key points of logic and reasoning that led the court to
arrive at the ratio.
Critique
Learners will assess, analyse and critique the judgment and, where necessary,
suggest an alternative viewpoint on the issue.
CONCLUSION
The learners will finally summarise everything said in the “Analysis” section in not
more than 200 words.
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Appendix ‘D’- Citation Style
The candidate is expected to use footnotes, not endnotes. As far as possible, the
information provided should be complete so as to provide easy access to readers
if they wish to peruse the topic further.
The footnote citation style and entries in the bibliography should follow a uniform
pattern, preferably using the JILI or OSCOLA style.
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