The Law and Public Policy Minor at Rishihood University is designed to provide undergraduate students from various disciplines with a foundational understanding of Indian law and public policy. This interdisciplinary program is based on four key pillars: understanding the constitutional framework of Indian democracy, understanding the role of society and state, applying legal education for social and public service, and understanding current and emerging challenges in designing and implementing public policy. The curriculum comprises eight 3-credit courses, spanning 10 weeks each, that blend theory and practice to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to become informed and engaged citizens.
By offering these eight courses, the Law Minor as a foundation or horizontal will provide undergraduate students with a comprehensive understanding of Indian law and public policy. The curriculum is designed to help students develop critical thinking skills, engage in policy debates, and apply legal knowledge to address social issues and contribute positively to society and the nation.
Description: This course provides an overview of the Indian Constitution, its historical context, and the constitutional framework of Indian democracy. Students will explore the fundamental rights, directive principles, and the roles and responsibilities of various branches of government.
Week-wise Course Outline:
Week 1: Historical context and framing of the Indian Constitution
Week 2: Preamble and basic structure of the Constitution
Week 3: Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy
Week 4: Union and State Governments: Powers and Functions
Week 5: Judiciary: Structure, Independence, and Judicial Review
Week 6: Federalism and Centre-State Relations
Week 7: Constitutional Amendments and Landmark Judgments
Week 8: Special Provisions for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes
Week 9: Emergency Provisions and Constitutional Crises
Week 10: Constitutional Reforms and Contemporary Debates
Description: This course examines the interplay between society, state, and governance in India. Students will explore the roles of various actors, including the government, citizens, civil society organizations, and the private sector in shaping public policy and governance.
Week-wise Course Outline:
Week 1: State, Society, and Governance: Concepts and Theories
Week 2: Civil Society, NGOs, and Citizen Participation
Week 3: Role of Media and Information in a Democracy
Week 4: Social Movements and Public Policy
Week 5: Public-Private Partnerships in Governance
Week 6: Local Governance and Decentralization
Week 7: Gender, Law, and Policy
Week 8: Education, Health, and Social Welfare Policies
Week 9: Governance Challenges and Public Sector Reforms
Week 10: Ethics, Transparency, and Accountability in Governance
Description: This course provides a comprehensive overview of the various components of Indian polity, including the legislative, executive, and judiciary systems at both the central and state levels. Students will also examine the role of political parties, election processes, and local governance in India.
Week-wise Course Outline:
Week 1: Introduction to Indian Polity
Week 2: The Indian Constitution: Structure and Principles
Week 3: Union Government: Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary
Week 4: State Governments: Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary
Week 5: Indian Federalism and Centre-State Relations
Week 6: Political Parties, Electoral Systems, and Representation
Week 7: Local Governance: Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies
Week 8: Public Administration and Bureaucracy in India
Week 9: Elections in India: Process, Challenges, and Reforms
Week 10: Contemporary Debates and Issues in Indian Polity
Description: This course introduces students to the practical applications of legal education for social and public service. Students will learn about legal aid, alternative dispute resolution, public interest litigation, and other tools for promoting access to justice and social change.
Week-wise Course Outline:
Week 1: Legal Aid and Access to Justice
Week 2: Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms
Week 3: Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and Social Change
Week 4: Legal Advocacy and Campaigning
Week 5: Right to Information (RTI) and Citizen Empowerment
Week 6: Legal Aspects of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments
Week 7: Legal Clinics and Community Outreach
Week 8: Law and Social Entrepreneurship
Week 9: Legal Aspects of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Management
Week 10: Career Opportunities in Law and Public Service
Description: This course introduces students to the concepts, frameworks, and tools used in public policy analysis. Students will learn how to analyze policy problems, design and evaluate policy options, and understand the role of evidence in policymaking.
Week-wise Course Outline:
Week 1: Introduction to Public Policy: Concepts and Theories
Week 2: Policy Cycle and Stages of Policy Process
Week 3: Policy Actors, Stakeholders, and Networks
Week 4: Policy Analysis and Problem Identification
Week 5: Designing and Evaluating Policy Options
Week 6: Evidence-Based Policymaking and Data Analysis
Week 7: Policy Implementation and Monitoring
Week 8: Policy Evaluation and Learning
Week 9: Political Economy of Policy Reform
Week 10: Case Studies in Indian Public Policy
Description: This course explores the legal and policy frameworks governing environmental protection, natural resource management, and sustainable development in India. Students will learn about key environmental laws, institutions, and regulatory mechanisms, as well as the role of civil society and the judiciary in environmental governance.
Week-wise Course Outline:
Week 1: Introduction to Environmental Law and Policy
Week 2: Constitutional Provisions and Environmental Principles
Week 3: Water and Air Pollution Laws and Regulations
Week 4: Wildlife Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
Week 5: Forest Laws and Sustainable Resource Management
Week 6: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Regulatory Framework
Week 7: Climate Change, Energy, and Environmental Policy
Week 8: Role of Judiciary in Environmental Governance
Week 9: Public Interest Litigation and Environmental Justice
Week 10: Emerging Issues in Environmental Law and Policy
Description: This course examines the intersection of law, technology, and public policy, with a focus on current and emerging issues, such as data privacy, cybercrime, and intellectual property rights. Students will learn about the legal and regulatory frameworks governing technology and innovation, as well as the role of law and policy in shaping the digital economy and society.
Week-wise Course Outline:
Week 1: Introduction to Law, Technology, and Public Policy
Week 2: Data Privacy and Protection Laws
Week 3: Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Laws
Week 4: Intellectual Property Rights: Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks
Week 5: Telecommunication and Internet Regulation
Week 6: E-commerce and Consumer Protection
Week 7: Digital Economy, Taxation, and Competition Law
Week 8: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Law
Week 9: Social Media, Free Speech, and Censorship
Week 10: Emerging Challenges in Law, Technology, and Public Policy
Description: This course explores current and emerging challenges in designing and implementing public policy in India. Students will examine contemporary issues in Indian Public Policy and the emerging challenges.
Week-wise Course Outline:
Week 1: Introduction to Contemporary Issues in Indian Public Policy
Week 2: Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Growth
Week 3: Urbanization, Smart Cities, and Urban Governance
Week 4: Health Policy: Access, Quality, and Equity
Week 5: Education Policy: Reforms and Challenges
Week 6: Migration, Citizenship, and Refugees
Week 7: Infrastructure Development and Public-Private Partnerships
Week 8: Energy Policy and Renewable Resources
Week 9: Demographic Challenges and Social Security
Week 10: Case Studies in Public Policy Innovation and Reform
Register your interest with our 3-step selection process-
1
Online Application
2
Aptitude Test
3
Personal Interview
