Folia Canonica 2. (1999)
NEWS IN BRIEF - Varghese Koluthara: Institute of Oriental Canon Law at Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Bangalore, India
280 VARGHESE KOLUTHARA Fundamental Canon Law Course This is a comprehensive course for a period of one year or two semesters and is a general introduction to canon law studies. This is designed to suit the purpose chiefly of those non-clerical students who enter the Institute with a view to proceeding to the Master’s Degree Course in Oriental Canon Law. The minimum academic qualification for admission to this course is a Bachelor’s degree in any subject and proficiency in English. Master’s Degree Course in Oriental Canon Law: M.O.C.L. The second cycle which comprises two years (four semesters) aims at specialization in Oriental Canon Law. A profound study of the Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium will be done with references to the Codex Iuris Canonici and Pastor Bonus covering thereby the entire Corpus Iuris Caninici that is in force. Besides, the particular laws of various Oriental Churches will be treated as far as possible. This study together with other connected disciplines will be carried out with rigorous attention to scientific methods. The study programme consists of lectures, seminars and a scientifically prepared dissertation. Lectures on different titles of the code will be offered as principal courses. The connected disciplines such as the philosophy and theology of law, the public ecclesiastical law, elements of civil law, canonical institutes, history of canon law etc. will be auxiliary subjects. Besides, a number of optional courses will be offered each year, from which students can select according to the area of their specialization. The Institute will be attentive to the inculturation of the Law of the Church. For this purpose the Constitution of India as well as the ancient law of the land (ius sanscriticum) will be studied with the help of specialists, particularly in collaboration with the prestigious National Law School of India University, Bangalore. The various branches of Indian civil law will also receive due attention. Optional Courses and Seminars: The optional subjects and seminars vary each year according to the demand of students and the availability of competent teachers. Each student is expected to take at least one optional course in a semester and one seminar each year. The optional course may also be done as tutorial if there are not sufficient number of students to have it as a lecture course. Seminars shall be the forum for the students to come together for exchange of ideas and discussion on relevant canonical and related topics.
