Doctor of Laws

Purpose

The qualification is intended to provide the country with Graduates who have specialised holistic scholarship and well-developed research and practical skills in a specialised field and can therefore serve the community in a variety of important ways, in both the public and private sectors. Graduates will master skills in all aspects of the research method including the identification of a problem, literature review, project planning, data collection and analysis, report writing and oral presentation of results. The Graduate will engage with a specialisation within a particular field of Law through an original contribution that advances the frontiers of knowledge. In so doing, Graduates will lead research and will be able to engage with a variety of audiences to advance the speciality and contribute to advances in society.

Rationale

The rationale of the qualification is to recognise scholars who have made a considerable research contribution towards the advancement of knowledge in a specific field. The provision of this qualification is in response specifically to the national priority of creating jobs and sustainable livelihoods with a focus on Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of national, provincial, and local government structures in successfully implementing basic service delivery qualifications and maintaining governance levels marked by professionalism and integrity.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is guided by the institutional policy and is aligned to the objectives of the NQF. Entry into the qualification is possible via RPL where disciplinary competence may be in a multidisciplinary field, provided that it is aligned to the institutional policy and that the applicant is evaluated by a qualified RPL assessor in a manner that is free from any form of discrimination.

Entry Requirements

The admission requirement for this qualification is

• A relevant Master's qualification in the disciplinary area of choice.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules

International Aspects of Law

• Thesis (International Aspects of Law), 360 Credits.

Or

Perspectives on Law

• Thesis (Perspectives on Law), 360 Credits.

Or

Mercantile Law

• Thesis (Mercantile Law), 360 Credits.

Or

Private Law

• Thesis (Private Law), 360 Credits.

Or

Public Law

• Thesis (Public Law), 360 Credits.

Or

Formal Law

• Thesis (Formal Law), 360 Credits.

Or

The Legal Profession

• Thesis (The Legal Profession), 360 Credits.

1. Demonstrate expertise and critical knowledge in an area at the forefront of a field, discipline or practice; and the ability to conceptualise new research initiatives and create new knowledge or practice.
2. Demonstrate the ability to contribute to scholarly debates around theories of knowledge and processes of knowledge production in an area of study or practice.
3. Develop new methods, techniques, processes, systems or technologies in original, creative and innovative ways appropriate to specialised and complex contexts.
4. Demonstrate the ability to apply specialist knowledge and theory in critically reflexive, creative and novel ways to address complex practical and theoretical problems.
5. Ability to identify, address and manage emerging ethical issues, and to advance processes of ethical decision-making.
6. Ability to make judgements on incomplete or inconsistent data.
7. Produces publishable works.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Expertise in a theoretically sophisticated subject matter is demonstrated through critical evaluation and argument encapsulated in a doctoral thesis.
• Research initiatives are properly proposed and analysed in a research proposal aligned with the Faculty research guidelines.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Theories of knowledge in the area of specialisation are discussed and critiqued in the process of knowledge production.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The research thesis contributes to existing body of methods, techniques, processes, systems or technologies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Knowledge application is used in the analysis and evaluation of problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• The learner shows ethical awareness in the handling of the research specialisation and reporting thereof, including evidence of ethical decision-making.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Develops significant original insights into new, complex and abstract ideas, information or issues.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Publishes articles or chapters in a book from the doctoral thesis.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment takes place across all learning outcomes. Integration of exit level outcomes is assessed in the form of a full research thesis.