Module 1 readings:

Module Overview

Session: Foundations of Law: Legal Systems

 Jaap Hage, Antonia Waltermann, BramAkkermans (eds), “Introduction to Law” (2nd edn, Springer,
Maastricht), Chapters 1-3
 V.S. Deshpande (revised by Thomas Paul), “Nature of Indian Legal System”
 Joseph Dainow, “The Civil Law and the Common Law: Some Points of Comparison” (1966-67)
15(3) The American Journal of Comparative Law pp. 419-435

Segment: What is the Law?

Segment: Sources of Law (common law, civil law, international law)

Session: Institutions of Government

 Sujit Choudhry, Madhav Khosla, and Pratap Bhanu Mehta (eds),
o Chapter 15: Justice (Retd.) Ruma Pal, “Separation of Powers”
o Chapter 25: M.P. Singh, “The Federal Scheme”
 Durga Das Basu, “Introduction to the Constitution of India” (24th edn, LexisNexis)
o Chapter 5, “Nature of the Federal System”
o Chapter

Segment: Federalism and Branches of Government (Parliament, Executive, Judiciary)

Segment: Separation of Powers

Session: Legal Processes and Procedures

 Durga Das Basu, “Introduction to the Constitution of India” (24th edn, LexisNexis)
o Chapter 11, “The Union Executive”
o Chapter 12, “The Union Legislature”
o Chapter 13, “The State Executive”
o Chapter 14, “The State Legislature”
o Chapter 22, “The Supreme Court”

Segment: The Parliament – How Laws are Made

Segment: The Judiciary – How Laws are Interpreted

Discussion: Adversarial and Inquisitorial systems

Segment: The Executive – How Laws are Administered

Session: The Importance of Precedent and Persuasive Argument

 V.G. Hegde, “Indian Courts and International Law” (2010) 23(1) Leiden Journal of International
Law pp. 53-77
 Khagesh Gautam, “The Use of International Law in Constitutional Interpretation in the Supreme
Court of India” (2019) 55(1) Stanford Journal of International Law 27

Segment: The Doctrine of Precedent (Ratio vs. Obiter Dicta)

Segment: The Use of International and Foreign Sources of Law in Domestic Contexts