Curriculum Development
Law, Language, Literature and Communication
Prof. Prasannanshu proposed the course outline for English for the ‘The first Curriculum Development Committee (CDC) of the Bar Council of India constituted for the purpose of facilitating Universities and Institutions to formulate the course design in various courses in Law, Social Sciences, English Language, Science, Management and Commerce courses for both Unitary (three Years’) and Double Degree Integrated (not less than Five Years’) courses’. A draft report was issued by BCI on 15 February, 2010.’ (http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/about/legal-education/curriculum-development-committee/)
Prof. Prasannanshu proposed the course outline for English for the ‘The first Curriculum Development Committee (CDC) of the Bar Council of India constituted for the purpose of facilitating Universities and Institutions to formulate the course design in various courses in Law, Social Sciences, English Language, Science, Management and Commerce courses for both Unitary (three Years’) and Double Degree Integrated (not less than Five Years’) courses’. A draft report was issued by BCI on 15 February, 2010.’ (http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/about/legal-education/curriculum-development-committee/)
You may click the following link for accessing the English Course proposal on Pages 60 to 67 of the CDC Report. CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT, 2010
You may click the following link for accessing the English Course proposal on Pages 60 to 67 of the CDC Report. CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT, 2010
The two syllabi, viz. 'ENGLISH PAPER I: LAW AND LANGUAGE' and 'ENGLISH PAPER II: LEGAL PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS' are produced below. They are essentially the same as given in the CDC report but with some typographical changes.
The two syllabi, viz. 'ENGLISH PAPER I: LAW AND LANGUAGE' and 'ENGLISH PAPER II: LEGAL PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS' are produced below. They are essentially the same as given in the CDC report but with some typographical changes.
Further, it may be noted that I have been polishing and changing the courses of English for LL.B. students and several major changes have been introduced by me since I proposed this outline. If you are interested in having the updated syllabi then please drop an email to me.
Object of study: The relation of English Language and literature is integrally related to the history and development of Common Law System in the world, commonly known as AngloSaxon Legal System. The System is transplanted in India during the early British rule along with English language and literature in the European Education introduced in India. Naturally today, one of the strength of Indian Students is the natural strength in English language and literature. Words are bricks and grammar is the mortar of law and justice system that is how the relation is expressed in simple term. Indian Legal system heavily imbedded in English language and literature naturally calls for strong grounding in language and literature, the first skill that an Indian lawyer has to earn. These couple of courses in English language and literature tries to scientifically relate the Language and Literature as the means and methods of effective communication, reading; writing; and speaking. Methodology of teaching-learning: The effective method of teaching-learning and developing language skill is, loving to read literature. However, the English language has nuances in legal expression, often mentioned as Legal English, though there is nothing like Legal and Illegal English. That is only a pedagogical exercise. The best way to learn such English is to read more and more English literature especially literatures created by Judges and Jurists in the name of Autobiography or biography or in special lecture-series. Indian students like students from any other continents have a distinct style of expression. So it is better to have an English Laboratory to understand various style of oral communication. Listen, speak and write – are three straight ways of teaching-learning language. The analytical skill is developed with critical interpretations and explanation. So the best way to learn language is to work in tutorials and peer group participation. Evaluation system: Reading, speaking and writing are the only ways of testing and evaluation. Class presentation on Book Review, Fact analysis and interpretation, writing reports, précis, letters and short stories – these are some of the creative ways of testing the growth on interest of the students. Once the interest grows, learning would come automatically. Section: 1 Theoretical Considerations Section: Introduction Topic: Introduction to language and communication 61 Reference Text: Developing Communication skills by Krishna Mohan and Meera Banerji. 2002. Macmillan. Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 3% Teaching method: Class activities and lectures Section: 2 Legal Writing skills Topic/Chapter: Avoiding repetitions, Ch-21; Avoiding legalese in writing, Ch-26; Passive voice minimalization, Ch-30; Removing unnecessary words, Ch-39; Use of parallel constructions, Ch-41; Fixing remote relative pronouns, Ch-51; Symbols and abbreviations, Ch-54; Sexist language, Ch-56; Dashes, Ch-57; Quotation marks, Ch-60; Spelling out numbers one to ten, Ch-69 Reference Text: The Winning Brief: 100 Tips for Persuasive Briefing in Trial and Appellate Court (Hardcover) by Bryan A. Garner (2nd ed.) Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 6% Teaching method: Class activities and exercises Section: 3 Legal writing and language Chapter/pages: Fundamental principles of legal writing, p211-213; General guidelines relating to legal writing, p214-221; How to write a case comment, P 232-246; Legal maxims, p289-296; Legal terms, p371- 393; Reference Text: Legal Language by Madabhushi Sridhar, 2nd Edition Chapter/ Topic: Ch1-Language and law-General study; Ch2-Problem of legal language in drafting; Ch3-Constitutional provisions relating to language. Reference Text: Dr. Anirudh Prasad. Outlines of legal language in India. 4th edition. Central law publications. Allahabad. 2007. Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 10% Teaching method: Lectures, and written exercises, Classroom Quiz. Test 1 Section: 4 Legal Linguistics 62 Topic: Semantics; Morphology ; Phonetics ; Forensic linguistics Reference Text: George Yule. 1997. The study of language. Cambridge; Akmajian, Demers, Farmer and Harmish. 2001. Linguistics: An introduction to language and communication. Prentice-Hall; Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 9% Teaching method: Lectures and discussion. Section: 5 Literary Readings and Social Skills Readings: The Benefit of Doubt, by Jack London; Ramesh v. Union of India, Equivalent citation: AIR1988 SC775, (1988) 90BOMLR116, JT1988(1)SC361, 1988(1) SCALE327, (1988) 1SCC668, [1988] 2SCR111, 1988 (2) UJ107(SC); “Before the Law”, by Franz Kafka; Effective mediator-Firdosh Karachiwala; Francis E.W. Harper the slave auction; Mediation key to swift justice, SUMAN K. SHRIVASTAVA; Peter Tiersma, The Nature of Legal Language; The Merchant of Venice. Shakespeare, Act 4, 15; An Autobiography or The Story of my Experiments with Truth by Mohandas K. Gandhi, translated by Mahadev Desai Topic: Etiquettes and Manners for law professionals; Reference Text: Correct Etiquette & Manners for all occasions by Seema Gupta Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 24% Teaching method: Role play, reading and discussion Section: 6 Grammar Topics: Sentence ; Subject and predicate; Phrase and clause; Case; Number; Person; Gender ; Tense; Aspect; Active‐passive; Modals; Prepositions; Infinitives ; Gerunds ; Adjectives; Degrees of comparison ; Articles Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 23% Teaching method: Lectures, classroom activities and exercises. Test 2 Section: 7 Research Project Topic: Research Project in Language and Linguistics Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 26% 63 Teaching method: Discussion and classroom presentation. Written project report has to be submitted, and a presentation has to be made by the student. Further Reading: 1. A.S.Hornby, Guide to Patterns and Usage in English, OUP, Delhi, 1999. 2. Bansal, R.K. and J. B. Harrison. Spoken English for India: A Manual of Speech and Phonetics, Hyderabad: Orient Longman, 1983. 3. David Green, Contemporary English Grammar Structures and Composition, Macmillan, Chennai, 1999. 4. Forsyth, Sandy & Lesley Hutchison. Practical Composition. Edinburgh, Oliver & Boyd, 1981 5. Geoffrey Leech and Jan Svartvik, A Communicative Grammar of English, Longman, Delhi, 2001. 6. H.K.Mukherjee, Legal Language, Legal writing and General English, Law Point, Calcutta, 2004. 7. Herbert Brown, A Selection of Legal Maxims, Sweet and Maxwell, London, 1998. 8. Locker, Kitty O. Business and Administrative Communication, McGraw Hill Higher Education, 7th edition. 2006. 9. M.A. Yadugiri and Geeta Bhasker. English for Law. Foundation books. 2005 10. Maison, Margaret M. Examine Your English, Hyderabad: Orient Longman, 1980 11. N. Krishnaswamy, Modern English, Macmillan, Delhi, 2001. 12. Paul Rylance, Legal Writing and Drafting,Universal Law,New Delhi,2000. 13. S. Pit Corder, An Intermediate English Practice Book, Orient Longman, Hyderabad, 1996. 14. S.C.Tripathi, Legal Language,Legal Writing and General English,Central Law Publications,New Delhi,2005. 15. Thomson and Martinet, A practical English Grammar, OUP, Mumbai, 1970. 16. V.R.Narayanswami, Strengthen Your Writing, Orient Longman, Hyderabad, 2000. 17. Winning Advocacy: Preparation, Questions, Argument, Hugh Selby, Graeme Blank Oxford University Press Australia. 2nd Revised edition, ISBN: 9780195550955 Pages: 170, September 2004 18. Wren and Martin, English Grammar and Composition, S. Chand, Delhi, latest edition. 19. Writer’s Guide to Style and Usage, Macmillan, Delhi, 2000. 64
Object of study: The relation of English Language and literature is integrally related to the history and development of Common Law System in the world, commonly known as AngloSaxon Legal System. The System is transplanted in India during the early British rule along with English language and literature in the European Education introduced in India. Naturally today, one of the strength of Indian Students is the natural strength in English language and literature. Words are bricks and grammar is the mortar of law and justice system that is how the relation is expressed in simple term. Indian Legal system heavily imbedded in English language and literature naturally calls for strong grounding in language and literature, the first skill that an Indian lawyer has to earn. These couple of courses in English language and literature tries to scientifically relate the Language and Literature as the means and methods of effective communication, reading; writing; and speaking. Methodology of teaching-learning: The effective method of teaching-learning and developing language skill is, loving to read literature. However, the English language has nuances in legal expression, often mentioned as Legal English, though there is nothing like Legal and Illegal English. That is only a pedagogical exercise. The best way to learn such English is to read more and more English literature especially literatures created by Judges and Jurists in the name of Autobiography or biography or in special lecture-series. Indian students like students from any other continents have a distinct style of expression. So it is better to have an English Laboratory to understand various style of oral communication. Listen, speak and write – are three straight ways of teaching-learning language. The analytical skill is developed with critical interpretations and explanation. So the best way to learn language is to work in tutorials and peer group participation. Evaluation system: Reading, speaking and writing are the only ways of testing and evaluation. Class presentation on Book Review, Fact analysis and interpretation, writing reports, précis, letters and short stories – these are some of the creative ways of testing the growth on interest of the students. Once the interest grows, learning would come automatically. Section: 1 Theoretical Considerations Section: Introduction Topic: Introduction to language and communication 61 Reference Text: Developing Communication skills by Krishna Mohan and Meera Banerji. 2002. Macmillan. Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 3% Teaching method: Class activities and lectures Section: 2 Legal Writing skills Topic/Chapter: Avoiding repetitions, Ch-21; Avoiding legalese in writing, Ch-26; Passive voice minimalization, Ch-30; Removing unnecessary words, Ch-39; Use of parallel constructions, Ch-41; Fixing remote relative pronouns, Ch-51; Symbols and abbreviations, Ch-54; Sexist language, Ch-56; Dashes, Ch-57; Quotation marks, Ch-60; Spelling out numbers one to ten, Ch-69 Reference Text: The Winning Brief: 100 Tips for Persuasive Briefing in Trial and Appellate Court (Hardcover) by Bryan A. Garner (2nd ed.) Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 6% Teaching method: Class activities and exercises Section: 3 Legal writing and language Chapter/pages: Fundamental principles of legal writing, p211-213; General guidelines relating to legal writing, p214-221; How to write a case comment, P 232-246; Legal maxims, p289-296; Legal terms, p371- 393; Reference Text: Legal Language by Madabhushi Sridhar, 2nd Edition Chapter/ Topic: Ch1-Language and law-General study; Ch2-Problem of legal language in drafting; Ch3-Constitutional provisions relating to language. Reference Text: Dr. Anirudh Prasad. Outlines of legal language in India. 4th edition. Central law publications. Allahabad. 2007. Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 10% Teaching method: Lectures, and written exercises, Classroom Quiz. Test 1 Section: 4 Legal Linguistics 62 Topic: Semantics; Morphology ; Phonetics ; Forensic linguistics Reference Text: George Yule. 1997. The study of language. Cambridge; Akmajian, Demers, Farmer and Harmish. 2001. Linguistics: An introduction to language and communication. Prentice-Hall; Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 9% Teaching method: Lectures and discussion. Section: 5 Literary Readings and Social Skills Readings: The Benefit of Doubt, by Jack London; Ramesh v. Union of India, Equivalent citation: AIR1988 SC775, (1988) 90BOMLR116, JT1988(1)SC361, 1988(1) SCALE327, (1988) 1SCC668, [1988] 2SCR111, 1988 (2) UJ107(SC); “Before the Law”, by Franz Kafka; Effective mediator-Firdosh Karachiwala; Francis E.W. Harper the slave auction; Mediation key to swift justice, SUMAN K. SHRIVASTAVA; Peter Tiersma, The Nature of Legal Language; The Merchant of Venice. Shakespeare, Act 4, 15; An Autobiography or The Story of my Experiments with Truth by Mohandas K. Gandhi, translated by Mahadev Desai Topic: Etiquettes and Manners for law professionals; Reference Text: Correct Etiquette & Manners for all occasions by Seema Gupta Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 24% Teaching method: Role play, reading and discussion Section: 6 Grammar Topics: Sentence ; Subject and predicate; Phrase and clause; Case; Number; Person; Gender ; Tense; Aspect; Active‐passive; Modals; Prepositions; Infinitives ; Gerunds ; Adjectives; Degrees of comparison ; Articles Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 23% Teaching method: Lectures, classroom activities and exercises. Test 2 Section: 7 Research Project Topic: Research Project in Language and Linguistics Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 26% 63 Teaching method: Discussion and classroom presentation. Written project report has to be submitted, and a presentation has to be made by the student. Further Reading: 1. A.S.Hornby, Guide to Patterns and Usage in English, OUP, Delhi, 1999. 2. Bansal, R.K. and J. B. Harrison. Spoken English for India: A Manual of Speech and Phonetics, Hyderabad: Orient Longman, 1983. 3. David Green, Contemporary English Grammar Structures and Composition, Macmillan, Chennai, 1999. 4. Forsyth, Sandy & Lesley Hutchison. Practical Composition. Edinburgh, Oliver & Boyd, 1981 5. Geoffrey Leech and Jan Svartvik, A Communicative Grammar of English, Longman, Delhi, 2001. 6. H.K.Mukherjee, Legal Language, Legal writing and General English, Law Point, Calcutta, 2004. 7. Herbert Brown, A Selection of Legal Maxims, Sweet and Maxwell, London, 1998. 8. Locker, Kitty O. Business and Administrative Communication, McGraw Hill Higher Education, 7th edition. 2006. 9. M.A. Yadugiri and Geeta Bhasker. English for Law. Foundation books. 2005 10. Maison, Margaret M. Examine Your English, Hyderabad: Orient Longman, 1980 11. N. Krishnaswamy, Modern English, Macmillan, Delhi, 2001. 12. Paul Rylance, Legal Writing and Drafting,Universal Law,New Delhi,2000. 13. S. Pit Corder, An Intermediate English Practice Book, Orient Longman, Hyderabad, 1996. 14. S.C.Tripathi, Legal Language,Legal Writing and General English,Central Law Publications,New Delhi,2005. 15. Thomson and Martinet, A practical English Grammar, OUP, Mumbai, 1970. 16. V.R.Narayanswami, Strengthen Your Writing, Orient Longman, Hyderabad, 2000. 17. Winning Advocacy: Preparation, Questions, Argument, Hugh Selby, Graeme Blank Oxford University Press Australia. 2nd Revised edition, ISBN: 9780195550955 Pages: 170, September 2004 18. Wren and Martin, English Grammar and Composition, S. Chand, Delhi, latest edition. 19. Writer’s Guide to Style and Usage, Macmillan, Delhi, 2000. 64
Section: 1 Theoretical Considerations Topic: Introduction to communication: definition; importance of communication skills for a professional; verbal, nonverbal and paralinguistic communication; the communication model. ; Written v/s oral communication ; Brevity, clarity, simplicity, accuracy and appropriateness ; Barriers to communication and how to avoid them.; Characteristics of the Language of the law Reference Text: Developing Communication skills by Mohan and Banerji Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 8% Teaching method: Class activity; Brain storming, lectures Section: 2 Placement Related Skills: Topic: Group Discussion; How to face an interview ; Presentation techniques ; Resume; Writing for Employment-Designing Cover letters Reference Text: Developing Communication skills by Mohan and Banerji Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 12% Teaching method: Lectures, class activities, assignments, test 1 Section: 3 Professional communication Topic: Nonverbal Communication.; Meetings: purpose, procedure, chairmanship, participation, physical arrangement ; Writing a professional letter, ; Hearing and Listening, ; The plain English movement, Peter Tiersma Reference Text: Developing Communication skills by Mohan and Banerji ; Legal language, legal writing general English. Dr. S.C. Tripathi. Central Law Publications. 2005. 3rd ed.; Osborn and Osborn. Public Speaking 4th ed. 2000. Houghton Miffin Company, U.S.A. ; 65 Developing Communication skills by Mohan and Banerji; Peter Tiersma Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 9% Teaching method: Lectures, writing practice, test Section: 4 C 66 text: published by Popular Prakashan, Mumbai, India; The Legacy Of Dr. Ambedkar by D.C. Ahir published by B.R. Publishing Corporation, Delhi-110007,India. (ISBN 81- 7018-603-X Code No. L00522) 2. : An Autobiography of APJ Abdul Kalam by A.P.J Abdul Kalam, Arun Tiwari; Orient Longman, 1999. 3. Legal Studies Paper No. 2009-11, March 2009, What is Language and Law?, And does anyone care?, Professor Peter M. Tiersma, 33 Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 10% Teaching method: The students would be required to read assigned portions of the text, make brief presentations, and to discuss in the classroom. Test Section: 7 Using the language Topics: Conversation practice; Pronunciation; Punctuation; Correct Usage and Common Errors; Vocabulary; Oral Presentations; Spelling rules; Idioms ; Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 19% Teaching method: Lectures, classroom activities, written exercises and quizzes Section: 8 Research Project Topic: Research project in legal language and communication Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 25% Teaching method: Discussion and classroom presentation. Written project report has to be submitted, and a presentation has to be made by the student. Further Reading: 1. Glanville Williams, Learning the Law, Universal Law, New Delhi, 2000.Chapter 14 2. John Gibbons. 1999. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics. 19, 156-173. Cambridge University Press. 3. Lewis, Hedwig. Body Language: A Guide for Professionals. New Delhi: Response Books (A division of Sage Publication), 2000 4. Mogha, The Indian Conveyancer, Eastern Law House,Calcutta,2004 . 5. Murli Manohar, Art of Conveyancing and Pleading, Eastern Book Company,Lucknow,2004. 67 6. S.P. Agarwal, Pleadings, LexisNexis, New Delhi,2003. 7. A.S. Hornby, Guide to Patterns and Usage in English, OUP, Delhi, 1999. 8. David Green, Contemporary English Grammar Structures and Composition, Macmillan, Chennai, 1999. 9. Geoffrey Leech and Jan Svartvik, A Communicative Grammar of English, Longman, Delhi, 2001. 10. Thomson and Martinet, A practical English Grammar, OUP, Mumbai, 1970. Wren and Martin, English
Section: 1 Theoretical Considerations Topic: Introduction to communication: definition; importance of communication skills for a professional; verbal, nonverbal and paralinguistic communication; the communication model. ; Written v/s oral communication ; Brevity, clarity, simplicity, accuracy and appropriateness ; Barriers to communication and how to avoid them.; Characteristics of the Language of the law Reference Text: Developing Communication skills by Mohan and Banerji Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 8% Teaching method: Class activity; Brain storming, lectures Section: 2 Placement Related Skills: Topic: Group Discussion; How to face an interview ; Presentation techniques ; Resume; Writing for Employment-Designing Cover letters Reference Text: Developing Communication skills by Mohan and Banerji Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 12% Teaching method: Lectures, class activities, assignments, test 1 Section: 3 Professional communication Topic: Nonverbal Communication.; Meetings: purpose, procedure, chairmanship, participation, physical arrangement ; Writing a professional letter, ; Hearing and Listening, ; The plain English movement, Peter Tiersma Reference Text: Developing Communication skills by Mohan and Banerji ; Legal language, legal writing general English. Dr. S.C. Tripathi. Central Law Publications. 2005. 3rd ed.; Osborn and Osborn. Public Speaking 4th ed. 2000. Houghton Miffin Company, U.S.A. ; 65 Developing Communication skills by Mohan and Banerji; Peter Tiersma Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 9% Teaching method: Lectures, writing practice, test Section: 4 C 66 text: published by Popular Prakashan, Mumbai, India; The Legacy Of Dr. Ambedkar by D.C. Ahir published by B.R. Publishing Corporation, Delhi-110007,India. (ISBN 81- 7018-603-X Code No. L00522) 2. : An Autobiography of APJ Abdul Kalam by A.P.J Abdul Kalam, Arun Tiwari; Orient Longman, 1999. 3. Legal Studies Paper No. 2009-11, March 2009, What is Language and Law?, And does anyone care?, Professor Peter M. Tiersma, 33 Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 10% Teaching method: The students would be required to read assigned portions of the text, make brief presentations, and to discuss in the classroom. Test Section: 7 Using the language Topics: Conversation practice; Pronunciation; Punctuation; Correct Usage and Common Errors; Vocabulary; Oral Presentations; Spelling rules; Idioms ; Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 19% Teaching method: Lectures, classroom activities, written exercises and quizzes Section: 8 Research Project Topic: Research project in legal language and communication Approximate percentage of time to be devoted: 25% Teaching method: Discussion and classroom presentation. Written project report has to be submitted, and a presentation has to be made by the student. Further Reading: 1. Glanville Williams, Learning the Law, Universal Law, New Delhi, 2000.Chapter 14 2. John Gibbons. 1999. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics. 19, 156-173. Cambridge University Press. 3. Lewis, Hedwig. Body Language: A Guide for Professionals. New Delhi: Response Books (A division of Sage Publication), 2000 4. Mogha, The Indian Conveyancer, Eastern Law House,Calcutta,2004 . 5. Murli Manohar, Art of Conveyancing and Pleading, Eastern Book Company,Lucknow,2004. 67 6. S.P. Agarwal, Pleadings, LexisNexis, New Delhi,2003. 7. A.S. Hornby, Guide to Patterns and Usage in English, OUP, Delhi, 1999. 8. David Green, Contemporary English Grammar Structures and Composition, Macmillan, Chennai, 1999. 9. Geoffrey Leech and Jan Svartvik, A Communicative Grammar of English, Longman, Delhi, 2001. 10. Thomson and Martinet, A practical English Grammar, OUP, Mumbai, 1970. Wren and Martin, English