Amity Law School, Amity University Gurugram, with a view to update Law Faculties, Research Scholars, and Professionals with the changes in Legal Education Research and Pedagogy, organized a 5- days Faculty Development Programme on Legal Research and Pedagogy In Changing Times, from 15- 19 June2020, on Microsoft Teams. The FDP saw participation not only from Faculty Members and Research Scholars of Amity University Gurugram but also from Universities and Law Colleges as well as Lawyers from across the country.
The Session commenced with Welcoming the Chief Guest Prof (Dr) P.B. Sharma, Vice Chancellor Amity University Haryana and Prof (Dr) S. Shantha Kumar, the Resource Person of the Day, by Ms Monica Yaday, Coordinator for the Session. The FDP was inaugurated by Prof. (Dr.) P.B. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, Amity University Gurugram. In his address, the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor while expressing his happiness on the organisation of the FDP, said that this would provide a space for discussion and discourse on the very important issue of changing Legal education dynamics with the changing times.
While addressing the gathering, Prof. (Dr.) P.B. Sharma, emphasized the importance of revamping the current laws, especially in the area of Environment and said that, ‘I am glad to see that one of the Sessions deals with Ethics in Research, which is very important for all of us.”
15 June 2020: Session 1
Legal Education and Changes in Pedagogy
The First Session of the FDP was chaired by Prof (Dr) S. Shantha Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Gujarat National Law University.
Prof. Dr. Shantha Kumar began the Session with showing his pleasure that Amity Law School, Gurugram had taken the initiative to conduct this FDP on one of the most important issues in the Teaching and Learning process, especially in the field of law. He concluded the Session distinguishing between Pedagogy and Andragogy. He elucidated that the biggest change lies in understanding that University teaching needs to be Andragogical rather than Pedagogical.
The Session was very interactive and several questions were put to Dr. Kumar where Participants wanted to know the efficacy of the Five Years Law Course in integrating the learning approach of budding lawyers and the future approach to teaching in the light of possible beginning of the new Session Online.
16 June 2020: Session 2
Legal Research Methods
The Second Session of the FDP on the topic “Legal Research Methods”, which is of great importance to every Researcher as to what methods a Researcher should adopt for carrying out good research work, was as chaired by Prof. (Dr) Y F Jayakumar, Principal Pendekanti Law College, Hyderabad and Former Principal, College of Law, Osmania University. The Session was attended by 129 Participants both from the field of Academics (Research Scholars and Faculty Members) and Bar. It commenced with a Welcome Address by Ms Neha Mishra, the Coordinator for the Session. The Address by the revered Guest was received with admiration by the Participants.
Through an illustrative Power Point Presentation, Prof. Jayakumar first explained the Definition of the term Research and then went on to explain the purpose of Legal Research and the important steps required to be taken to conduct it. He pointed out that the purpose of Research must always be kept in mind while conceptualizing and verifying the data.
Prof Jaya Kumar highlighted that the Purpose for conducting Legal Research includes understanding the evolution and functioning of law, understanding legal reforms, making a comparative analysis with other legal systems, suggesting changes in the existing legal system, implementing the law effectively and using it for further Academic Research.
He further emphasised that the Formulation of Hypothesis must be general, testable, feasible, tenable and introduction of Research Work should include Statement of Problem, Legal Significance of study, Aims and Objectives of study, Source of Information, Statement of Hypothesis and Scope and Limitations of study. Prof Kumar while listing the qualities of a good researcher said that he/she must have scientific temper, visionary thinking, personal taste, command over Legal Principles, perseverance, independent judgment and unbiased attitude.
17 June 2020: Session 3
Teaching and Research Techniques in Law.
The Third Session of the FDP was chaired by Prof (Dr) Nishtha Jaswal, Vice Chancellor, Himachal Pradesh National Law University and commenced with a Welcome Note for the Resource Person by Ms Sanjum Bedi, the Coordinator for the Session. The Session was attended by around 120 participants. Dr. Nishtha started with explaining the significance of the Teaching Profession and stated that this noble profession calls for constant research undertaken with latest techniques. Prof. Jaswal said that, “it is not possible to survive in the legal profession if one remains stagnant and is not inclined towards keeping oneself updated. The value of research in the life of a teacher in undeniable, be it at the level of school, college, or university.” She recited two Hindi Poems written by her, one succinctly bringing out ‘what a Teacher should be’ and the other describing ‘what is Research and how it should be conducted’.
She must not teach out-dated, abolished and obsolete laws. She elucidated by quoting George Bernard Shaw- “Beware of having false knowledge. It is more dangerous than being ignorant”. A teacher should always do excessive research on recent case laws and landmark judgements and should be able to make the students understand the reason behind these judgements and how the society is affected by such changes. She explained the Quotients of Teaching as:
· IQ level – Intelligence Quotient
· EQ Level – Emotional Quotient
· Social Intelligence
· Body Language
Amongst all these, she focused on the Emotional Intelligence Quotient and said that a teacher must understand and distinguish between the ability and disability of the students. Some are fast learners and some are slow learners. The Mentor should be sensitive to the slow ones and should be highly vigilant that the weak students are not mocked at. The Session was then navigated towards understanding about the Research Techniques where she explained various Research Methods such as Fundamental Research and Applied Research. She explained to the Participants that these Research Methods are a tool to verify the existing theory or giving a new theory such as in the Navtej Singh Johar Case and Sabrimala Case which are great examples of Constitutional Morality. A research should focus on current issues which may be applicable on the current scenario of the society such as Covid 19 and Human Rights issues. She also mentioned and explained the Theories of Justice and Utilitarian Theory. To explain her point, she mentioned Vishakha Judgement, Guidelines on Inter- Country Adoption (KARA) and also DK Basu’s case.
18 June 2020: Session 4
The fourth day of the FDP was assigned to the topic Legal Literature and Research and was chaired by Prof. (Dr) Versha Vahini, HOD, Faculty of Law, Manav Rachna University. The Session began with a Welcome Address by Dr Archna Sehrawat, Assistant Professor, Amity Law School, wherein she extended a warm welcome to the esteemed Guest and all the other Participants. The event was attended by 137 Participants.
Prof. Vahini also highlighted the use of Bloom’s Taxonomy in Legal Education and described all six levels of the Taxonomy with examples and another activity of application of Bloom’s Taxonomy in legal subjects for better understanding. Then she explained the different techniques that could be used in legal teaching, like- Socratic Method, Case Study Method, Discussion, Debate, Lecture Method, Problem Analysis and Solution Method.
The Question-Answer Session was coordinated by Mr Pranshul Pathak, Chief Coordinator. The Session then concluded with a Vote of Thanks proposed by Maj. Gen. P.K. Sharma (Retd.), Professor & Director Amity School of Law, Dean Faculty of Law, who thanked Prof. (Dr) Versha Vahini for her insightful, interesting, and interactive session. He felt happy that the Session was not a monologue but very interactive and hoped that Participants must have benefited greatly therefrom.
19 June 2020: Session 5
Ethics in Legal Research was chosen as the topic of discussion for the Final Day of this Faculty Development Program. The Session was chaired by Prof. (Dr.) K.P.S. Mahalwar, Chair Professor at National Law University, Delhi and Member of Haryana Higher Education Council at Govt. of Haryana. Formerly, he was Head and Dean Faculty of Law, M.D. University, Rohtak. The Session was attended by 121 Participants from different Universities and Colleges from all over India. The Session began with a Welcome Address by Dr Vijay Pal Singh, Coordinator for the Session.
Prof. Mahalwar opined that Legal Research needs to be done with integrity and utmost honesty as many stakeholders rely on it. Ethics has to be imbibed in us, in our conduct and there is a need to have a holistic view about the same. The Revered Guest emphasized that the funding agencies should be transparent in their approach and should not look towards a Research only favouring their needs. The supervisors should play an important role in applying Ethical Principles and they should not lose their credibility, rather assist in conducting of an unbiased research. Prof. Mahalwar concluded by saying that Ethics is required at every stage of research. This keeps the dignity of participants intact and does not compromise with the welfare of people. He said that a teacher is Nation Builder and must be most ethical.
This was followed by various questions asked by the Participants which were duly answered by the Guest. The Question-Answer Session was coordinated by Mr Pranshul Pathak, Chief Coordinator.
Valedictory Session of the FDP by Prof. (Dr) Padmakali Banerjee, Pro Vice Chancellor, Amity University Gurugram
Prof Banerjee reiterated that each one of us, the teachers and researchers, have ethics within us, and in fact, it is a matter of introspection which does not require external guidelines or regulations. She spoke about the 17 Sustainable Goals and urged the Faculty Members to pick up at least one goal and work towards implementing that in their work.
The FDP concluded with Vote of Thanks proposed by Maj. Gen. P K Sharma, Prof. & Director Amity Law School, Dean Faculty of Law, Amity University Gurugram. Gen. Sharma profusely thanked.