Legal Theory
and Public Affairs

Who should be interested?

The programme is designed for promising researchers keen to explore the opportunities legal and political theory offer to critically engage with law in its contemporary global environment as well practitioners (solicitors, in-house practitioners, public servants, judicial officials etc.) looking for new challenges and striving to broaden their understanding of legal concepts and instruments. You will evolve into a well-rounded researcher or scholar who is able to situate legal research within a theoretical framework which draws upon key philosophical approaches to the social sciences.

The approach

You will be taught by leading experts. The programme covers the major substantive issues and debates, including theoretical perspectives as well as research methods. The programme is not only taught by in-house academic staff, but also by leading researchers from around Europe.

Our approach is concerned with the philosophical foundations of law and with the development and application of critical perspectives. It addresses a variety of substantive fields and institutions of law. Contributing to events run by our experts will enable you to network and work alongside leading scholars.

The curriculum

The curriculum consists primarily of tutored research in the field of doctoral thesis. In addition, there are doctoral sessions, colloquia and tutored distance learning.

The programme could be studied as full-time (on-site) or as combined (i.e presence on site not required, however the student has to still attend the needed colloqiums/discussions/consultations/workshops in person).

Profiles of graduates

Graduates of the Doctoral Program of Legal Theory and Public Affairs will be able to engage in international research projects as highly specialized staff of research institutions dealing with the basic methodological questions connected with the research of law. In addition, they will be able to offer deep knowledge and skills needed for complex legal and analytical activities and will therefore be able to not only create these analyses, but also arguments for promoting specific legal actions and tools. The graduate will also develop multidisciplinary skills in the examination of the law that can be used to solve complex social issues and advise on possible legal steps.

Graduates of the doctoral study program will also be able to analyse semi-legal themes that cannot be solved in a conservative and classical way but in which it is necessary to accentuate the basic theoretical premises and objective methodological approach.