Curriculum Overview

The Law program at Alakh Prakash Goyal Shimla University Shimla is structured to provide a balanced mix of foundational knowledge, specialized expertise, and practical skills. The curriculum spans three years and includes core subjects, departmental electives, science electives, and mandatory projects designed to prepare students for successful careers in law.

Course Structure

Semester	Course Code	Full Course Title	Credit (L-T-P-C)	Prerequisites
1st	LLB-101	Introduction to Law	3-0-0-3	N/A
1st	LLB-102	Legal Methodology	3-0-0-3	N/A
1st	LLB-103	Constitutional Law I	4-0-0-4	LLB-101
1st	LLB-104	Criminal Law I	4-0-0-4	LLB-101
1st	LLB-105	Civil Procedure Code	3-0-0-3	LLB-101
1st	LLB-106	English for Legal Purposes	2-0-0-2	N/A
2nd	LLB-201	Constitutional Law II	4-0-0-4	LLB-103
2nd	LLB-202	Criminal Law II	4-0-0-4	LLB-104
2nd	LLB-203	Commercial Law	4-0-0-4	LLB-101
2nd	LLB-204	Family Law	3-0-0-3	LLB-101
2nd	LLB-205	Property Law	4-0-0-4	LLB-101
2nd	LLB-206	Legal Writing & Research	3-0-0-3	LLB-101
3rd	LLB-301	Corporate Law	4-0-0-4	LLB-203
3rd	LLB-302	Intellectual Property Rights	3-0-0-3	LLB-101
3rd	LLB-303	Human Rights Law	4-0-0-4	LLB-201
3rd	LLB-304	Environmental Law	3-0-0-3	LLB-201
3rd	LLB-305	International Law	4-0-0-4	LLB-201
3rd	LLB-306	Digital Law	3-0-0-3	LLB-101

Advanced Departmental Elective Courses

Departmental electives offer students the opportunity to delve deeper into specialized areas of law, providing them with advanced knowledge and skills relevant to their career goals.

Corporate Governance & Ethics

This course examines the legal frameworks governing corporate behavior, including fiduciary duties, board responsibilities, and ethical decision-making. Students explore real-world case studies involving corporate scandals, regulatory violations, and compliance strategies. The course emphasizes practical applications and prepares students for roles in corporate legal departments or as consultants to businesses.

Human Rights Advocacy

This course focuses on the principles of human rights law and their application in national and international contexts. Students engage with contemporary issues such as refugee protection, gender equality, and economic justice. The curriculum includes guest lectures from activists, legal experts, and policymakers who share insights into current challenges and advocacy strategies.

Environmental Impact Assessment

This elective explores the legal mechanisms used to assess environmental impacts of development projects. Students learn about regulatory processes, stakeholder engagement, and mitigation measures. The course combines theoretical knowledge with practical exercises involving real-world scenarios from India’s diverse ecosystems.

International Humanitarian Law

This advanced course delves into the legal rules governing armed conflicts and humanitarian responses. Students study treaties, case law, and contemporary challenges such as cyber warfare, terrorism, and climate change effects on conflict zones. The course includes simulations of international tribunals and negotiation exercises.

Cybersecurity & Data Protection

This course addresses legal issues related to digital privacy, cybersecurity threats, and data breach management. Students examine national and international regulations, including GDPR and India’s Personal Data Protection Bill. Practical components involve analyzing security incidents and developing compliance frameworks for organizations.

Banking & Financial Regulation

This course covers the legal aspects of financial markets, including banking law, securities regulation, and capital adequacy requirements. Students analyze regulatory frameworks, conduct risk assessments, and evaluate the impact of financial crises on legal institutions. The curriculum includes discussions with regulators and financial experts.

Dispute Resolution Mechanisms

This elective explores alternative dispute resolution methods such as arbitration, mediation, and conciliation. Students learn about procedural rules, ethical considerations, and practical applications in different legal contexts. Case studies from commercial disputes, family matters, and international conflicts provide real-world insights.

Public Interest Litigation

This course examines the role of litigation in promoting social justice and protecting public interest. Students study landmark cases, analyze constitutional remedies, and develop advocacy strategies. The curriculum includes hands-on experience with mock trials and community-based legal clinics.

Intellectual Property Law

This advanced course covers patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets in global contexts. Students engage with recent developments in IP law, including AI-generated content and biotechnology innovations. Practical workshops involve drafting applications, conducting infringement analyses, and negotiating licensing agreements.

Gender Justice & Legal Reform

This course analyzes the intersection of gender issues with legal systems and social structures. Students explore feminist jurisprudence, reproductive rights, workplace discrimination, and legal reforms in various cultural contexts. The curriculum includes interactive sessions with advocates and scholars working on gender equity.

Project-Based Learning Philosophy

Our department believes that project-based learning is essential for developing critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills among law students. Projects are integrated throughout the curriculum to ensure that theoretical knowledge is applied in practical scenarios.

Mini-Projects

Mini-projects are assigned at the end of each semester and require students to research a specific legal issue or case study. These projects typically involve analyzing existing laws, proposing reforms, or conducting comparative studies. Students present their findings in class and receive feedback from peers and faculty.

Final-Year Thesis/Capstone Project

The final-year thesis project is a comprehensive piece of original research that demonstrates mastery of legal concepts and analytical skills. Students select topics aligned with their interests and career goals, under the guidance of faculty mentors. The process includes literature review, data collection, analysis, and formal writing.

Project Selection Process

Students choose projects based on their academic interests and career aspirations. Faculty mentors are assigned according to project topics and expertise areas. Regular meetings with mentors ensure progress tracking and timely completion of assignments.

Evaluation Criteria

Projects are evaluated based on research quality, analytical depth, clarity of presentation, adherence to legal principles, and contribution to existing knowledge. Peer reviews, faculty evaluations, and final presentations form part of the assessment process.