Writing Methods for Law Degree Theses

Author: Liang Huixing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: The topic of a graduate thesis should be: researching a legal theory, or a legal system, or a legal principle, or a legal concept. Topics lacking academic or theoretical depth, i.e., purely technical or practical ones, are unsuitable as thesis topics. Policy-oriented or countermeasure-focused topics are also unsuitable. A thesis title should first clearly indicate the subject of the author's research, allowing readers (especially members of the defense committee) to immediately understand what the research is about. Second, it should determine the best angle of research, limiting the study to an appropriate scope and selecting a good starting point—what is now fashionable to call an "approach." Finally, it should be able to pique the readers' interest. Academic research is easily influenced by the author's subjectivity and may even exhibit phenomena of catering to certain needs, such as "academic populism" or "academic sycophancy," leading to the phenomenon of "academic bubble." This raises the issue of the social responsibility of scholars. When conducting legal academic research, one must uphold a scientific spirit, a pursuit of justice, and an independent academic personality, while also demonstrating a sense of responsibility toward the nation and its people. Every new viewpoint, proposition, or theory proposed, as well as every policy suggestion made, must be evaluated for its alignment with legal justice, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. One must take responsibility for the nation and its people.