Law: Comparative Law (D.C.L.)
Offered by: Law (Faculty of Law)
Degree: Doctor of Civil Law
Program Description
The Doctor of Civil Law (D.C.L.) program allows the development of substantive and original contributions to legal research and knowledge under the supervision of a faculty member.
The degree will be awarded, at the earliest, after the completion of 3 years of residence in the Faculty. The core of the D.C.L. program is a substantial thesis of up to 400 pages that makes a significant contribution to legal scholarship, evidencing in concept and execution the original work of the candidate. The thesis must be submitted within 4 years of completion of the residency requirement. Every candidate must successfully pass a comprehensive examination, after one year which may occur in the first year of the program, but no later than the end of the second year of the program.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Comprehensive - Required
Every candidate must successfully pass a comprehensive examination, usually after one year in the program.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LAWG 701 | Comprehensive Exam - Law. | 0 |
Comprehensive Exam - Law. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An examination comprised of written and oral components that must be passed by all doctoral candidates in order to continue in the doctoral program. | ||
Required Courses (5 Credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CMPL 641 | Theoretical Approaches to Law. | 3 |
Theoretical Approaches to Law. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to a variety of theoretical approaches to legal scholarship. | ||
| LAWG 702 | Legal Research Methodology for DCL. | 2 |
Legal Research Methodology for DCL. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Instruction in legal scholarship and research methodology, including proposal development and electronic legal research geared towards DCL students. | ||
| LAWG 703 | Literature Review, Analysis and Proposal. | 0 |
Literature Review, Analysis and Proposal. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Submission of final subject, methodology and bibliography to committee for feedback. Prepare Analysis of literature (approx. 15,000 words covering theory, methodology, literature review/critical analysis, and gap(s) in the literature). To be completed by the end of the first year (DCL 2) of the DCL program. | ||
| LAWG 704 | DCL Research Seminar 1. | 0 |
DCL Research Seminar 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Develop theoretical perspectives and orientation of thesis. Written and oral presentation of DCL thesis research by the DCL candidate to the candidate’s supervisor, thesis advisory committee and other interested individuals. Must be completed by end of third year (DCL 4). | ||
| LAWG 705 | DCL Research Seminar 2. | 0 |
DCL Research Seminar 2. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Students need to demonstrate significant development of their research project, including development of theoretical perspectives and orientation of thesis. Written and oral presentation of DCL thesis research by the DCL candidate to the candidate’s supervisor, thesis advisory committee and other interested individuals. Must be completed by 4th year (DCL 5). | ||
Complementary Course (0-3 Credits)
Some students are encouraged to take the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LAWG 601 | Communication 1. | 1.5 |
Communication 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Key writing and research strategies for graduate students in law. | ||
| LAWG 602 | Communication 2. | 1.5 |
Communication 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Key writing and research strategies for graduate students in law. | ||