LICENTIATE IN ORIENTAL CANON LAW (LOCL)

The Licentiate in Oriental Canon Law (LOCL) is a specialized three-year programme (six semesters) designed to provide in-depth expertise in the field of Oriental Canon Law. At the heart of the programme is a thorough study of the Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium (CCEO), critically examined in comparison with the Codex Iuris Canonici (CIC) of the Latin Church.

The curriculum also includes a study of Praedicate Evangelium, the Apostolic Constitution governing the structure and administration of the Roman Curia, thereby offering the students a comprehensive understanding of the Corpus Iuris Canonici. In addition, the Particular Laws of various Eastern Catholic Churches are studied where applicable, providing a broader and contextualized juridical formation.

The programme emphasizes sound juridical methodology and integrates theoretical learning with practical application. Students engage in lectures, seminars, and complete a scientifically researched thesis as part of their academic formation.

Courses on the CCEO form the core of the curriculum and are categorized as Principal Courses. Complementing these are Auxiliary Subjects, which include areas such as the philosophy and theology of law, public ecclesiastical law, elements of civil law, canonical institutes, and the history of canon law. Both principal and auxiliary courses are compulsory for all students, ensuring a holistic and rigorous academic preparation.

Requirements for Admission

1. For admission to the LOCL programme, the applicant should have a Bachelor's degree in Theology (BTh) or its equivalent (preferably with a first class).

1. The applicants, if they are clerics or religious, must be presented by their Hierarchs or Major Superiors, as the case may be. In the case of lay candidates, they shall be recommended by a competent person of good standing in the Church, acceptable to the Athenaeum.

Registration

1. Registration for the LOCL programme is to be done at the beginning of the academic year.

1. The students shall duly register for seminars before the due date mentioned in the Handbook.

The LOCL programme is spread over three academic years (six semesters).  During the period of the study, it is obligatory that the students reside in Bengaluru. The students are expected to complete all the requirements of the LOCL programme in three years’ time. If they fail to comply with it, they may re-register and pay tuition fees for the fourth academic year.

Methodology

1. The study methods adopted for the Licentiate programme are such that they promote multi-disciplinary investigations and a practical appraisal of problems in their area of specialization. The Codes of Canon Law of the Church are to be understood in the light of the theological and ecclesiological principles laid down by the Second Vatican Council and other relevant Church documents. A comparative study of CCEO and CIC with practical application to the inter-ritual, ecumenical and multi-religious context of India will also be emphasized.

1. The teaching method involves lectures, discussions, case studies, tutorials and seminars. The study programme is facilitated mainly by the fact that before the commencement of the semester, the students may be given a set of reading materials containing the course outline, teaching plan, reading lists and a reasonably large volume of study materials for each course. They consist of case studies, judicial decisions, articles, excerpts from reports, etc. With these materials in hand, the students are expected to come prepared for the class and actively participate in the discussions.
2. Written assignments, tutorial courses, seminars and a scientifically prepared thesis are envisaged so as to combine library research with case studies and legal writing. They are valuable means for self-study and help develop varied skills in the assimilation of knowledge and critical writing in the students. It also helps them improve their analytical abilities and communication skills.

Courses and Credits of LOCL Programme:

The courses of LOCL are listed below according to various categories along with the credits allotted. A credit (ECTS) is a unit of teaching/learning experience equivalent to a minimum of 15 periods of class with the corresponding amount of personal work. The courses offered may be of one or more credits. The courses offered for the licentiate programme are arranged under the following groups: (1) Principal Courses, (2) Auxiliary Courses, (3) Languages, (4) Seminars, and (5) Optionals. Following is the list of courses according to their credits:

1)      Principal Courses

2) Auxiliary Courses

3) Languages

Languages equip a candidate with the working knowledge of important languages, especially Latin, needed for the study of and research in canonical subjects.

4)  Seminars

Seminars offer opportunities to the students to gain expertise in carrying out scientific            research, to be equipped to participate in forums of experts in canon law, and to contribute to fruitful discussions on canonical issues of contemporary relevance. The subjects of seminars are chosen based on current canonical issues.

5) Optional Subjects
Students pursuing LOCL are required to complete two optional courses during their licentiate studies.

TOTAL CREDITS FOR LICENTIATE IN ORIENTAL CANON LAW

Evaluation of Courses: Each course is evaluated by the respective instructor in accordance with the academic norms outlined in the Statutes of the Institute. Evaluation consists of two main components: continuous assessment and a final examination. Continuous assessment includes the student's active participation in class sessions, involvement in course discussions, and the completion of assignments. The final evaluation assesses the student’s overall comprehension of the subject, conducted either through a written or oral examination. For courses carrying one credit, an oral examination may suffice. Seminars and elective courses are assessed by the respective instructors responsible for those courses.

At the beginning of each semester or individual course, the course outline, teaching plan, and evaluation scheme will be provided to the students, ensuring clarity regarding learning objectives and assessment criteria. When a course is taught by more than one instructor, the examination will be organized jointly by the teaching team to ensure a unified evaluation approach. For the final rating in the LOCL programme, 60% of the marks from the semester examinations will be taken into account. The remaining 40% will be derived from the results of the comprehensive examinations and the thesis..

Comprehensive Examinations: At the conclusion of the sixth semester, Licentiate students are required to undergo a comprehensive examination, which includes both a written test and a viva voce (oral examination). The written examination, lasting three hours, will cover the principal courses studied throughout the programme. The oral examination (viva voce) will be conducted for one hour before a panel of four examiners. It will assess the student’s understanding of various topics drawn from the entire Corpus Iuris Canonici, including both the Eastern and Latin Codes as well as other relevant canonical sources. The comprehensive examination will carry a weightage of 5 credits, which will be factored into the computation of the final grade for the Licentiate programme.

Thesis:  Each Licentiate student is required to complete a scientific thesis comprising 45,000 to 50,000 words (approximately 100 pages, with 1.5 line spacing) in their area of specialization. Thesis Registration must be completed no later than the beginning of the fourth semester. The student selects a topic of personal interest, subject to the approval of the Director. The Director, in consultation with the residential staff of the Institute, will give final approval for the thesis guide, chosen from among two names proposed by the student.

A thesis scheme outlining the following must be submitted for approval:

• The relevance of the topic
• The sources to be used
• The methodology to be employed
• A proposed chapter outline
• A select bibliography

The thesis must be written following the methodological guidelines prescribed by DVK and submitted at least one month prior to the completion of the sixth semester.

The thesis is defended in a public examination at the end of the sixth semester, before a panel of three examiners appointed by the Controller of Examinations in consultation with the Director. The defense will last one hour and will focus on the student’s ability to demonstrate a deeper insight into the chosen area of specialization, an integral comprehension of the subject matter, and the use of scientific methodology.

The LOCL Degree:  The Licentiate in Oriental Canon Law (LOCL) enables one to be admitted to the doctorate in Oriental / Latin Canon Law. It also entitles one to teach in a major seminary and take up various ecclesiastical offices, which require such a title according to canon law.