thesis writing syllabus philippines

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Syllabus COM 5319 Thesis Seminar

As you approach the finish line, it's time for you to get in the driver's seat and grab the steering wheel! The purpose of the Thesis Seminar is to provide you with a road map in the form of individual support regarding the selection, development, and preparation of a suitable research topic. You will be guided and advised in drafting a first proposal summary that will serve as a base for your comprehensive thesis exposé. The course content is directly derived from the areas of interest each one of you is planning to explore in your Master Thesis. Hence, every idea for topics will be discussed in detail to identify possible roadblocks and short cuts, in order to make sure you avoid any dead-end streets or U-Turns that would slow you down. Collaborative creative input and constructive criticism from your co-pilots will serve as a warm-up round for your future defense and provide instant feedback that will redirect your efforts into another direction or give you the green light to gear up and go ahead.

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Thesis Syllabus I - EDUC 684

This course is intended for Master’s level students to create a Master’s Thesis project and to see it through to the first draft. In this semester, students will work with their thesis committee to make any necessary revisions to the thesis proposal and produce the first draft of the thesis. Students will work one-on-one with their thesis advisor and the thesis coordinator to identify times that they will meet and create a plan for communication throughout the process of completing the Master’s Thesis.   

Course Focus

The Master’s Thesis is the culminating assessment in earning the degree of Master of Arts in Urban Education at Rhodes College. As such, it should be treated as a serious and academically rigorous component of the program. Each project is unique to the student completing it, and thus there is flexibility in scheduling, approach, and style that is up to the discretion of the thesis advisor. The thesis component of the M.A. in Urban Education at Rhodes College is meant to demonstrate advanced study and inquiry into a particular facet of urban education in relation to the experiences of candidates in the program. The thesis is a work of original scholarship, designed with guidance from a thesis advisor and thesis committee. A copy of the final project is uploaded to the ProQuest Dissertation and Theses database and added to the College Archives. 

Thesis Committee

Program faculty will assign a thesis advisor and an additional committee member to each student. Working with their advisor, candidates can elect to add a third advisor from the college faculty or from a member of the community who has demonstrated expertise in the subject matter or who has considerable relevant practitioner experience. All committee appointments are subject to review and approval by the Master's Thesis coordinator and program faculty.

Thesis Proposal

The proposal should explain the purpose of the study or inquiry, including the following sections:

• Introduction
• Review of Relevant Research

Thesis proposals should be roughly 2,000 words, excluding references. Guidelines for specific requirements of each section of the proposal will be assigned by the thesis advisor. The thesis committee will review the proposal and submit requests for revisions to the candidate as necessary. 

Thesis Proposal Formatting

Length :  Double-spaced typed pages, size 12 Times New Roman font, with 1-inch margins on all sides. Thesis proposals should be approximately 2,000 words, before references.

Citations : All proposals must use APA formatting. If you have any questions, consult the APA manual.

Grammar/Spelling/Punctuation : Be sure to proofread your proposal and strive to avoid any grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. 

Thesis Draft

The thesis should be organized into something like the following structure (though consult with your advisor for more specific guidance):

• Findings (Results/Analysis)
• Discussion (e.g., Interpretation, Connection to Existing Research, Implications, Limitations of the Study)
• Appendix(es) [only if required by the project; e.g., curriculum project]

Complete theses should be between 6,000-8,000 words, including references and the curriculum appendices of curriculum projects.

Thesis Draft Formatting

See all thesis draft formatting requirements here .

Evaluation of Student Performance

Student performance will be evaluated based on the components listed below. Each element is required in order to receive any credit for the course. (One cannot, for example, skip the thesis proposal and still pass with a 70% in the course. This caveat includes any and all required revisions to the thesis following the thesis proposal.) The final judgment about each of these areas is made by the advisor in consultation with the thesis coordinator and/or other committee members.

Grading Scale :

• achievement that is outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet course requirements.
• achievement that is above the level necessary to meet course requirements.
• achievement that meets the minimum course requirements in every respect.
• achievement that is worthy of credit even though it fails to meet fully the course requirements.

Course Policies

Participation : Students are required to schedule and attend meetings with their advisor (number of meetings TBD by advisor), respond to inquiries and requests by advisors, committee members, and thesis coordinator (including timely response to all correspondence over email), and attend all core events related to the thesis (e.g., workshops). 

In recognition of the fact that illness and emergencies occur, students are allowed one absence from scheduled meetings/events without it impacting their grade. After the second absence, the participation score will drop to half. After the third absence, a student will receive a zero for the participation score. Four absences will result in an automatic failure of the course . In the event of exceptional circumstances, a student who has had four absences in a single course can request a hearing with the program faculty to consider granting a waiver of this policy. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to notify the instructor as soon as you know and make a plan for a new meeting time. 

Automatic Failing Grade : If a student misses 4 or more meetings, they will automatically receive an F for the semester. See above for examples of excusable absences and requirements for completing missed course work.

Students who do not submit a thesis proposal or first draft will automatically receive an F for the semester.

Tardiness : Please arrive to meetings on time. Tardiness will result in a loss of participation credit.

Late assignments : You are expected to hand in all assignments on time. Failure to do so will affect your grade at your advisor's discretion. 

All submitted components of the thesis must be your own work and completed in accordance with Rhodes’ Honor Code. Students are expected to be familiar with the requirements of the Code and to conduct themselves accordingly in all classroom matters. Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s information or ideas without proper citation. If you have questions about the correct use or citation of materials, please consult with your advisor or the Writing Center. Papers with evidence of plagiarism will be referred to the Honor Council.

Rhodes faculty are concerned about the well-being and development of our students and are required by policy to share knowledge of sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, sexual exploitation, stalking, sexual harassment, and sex/gender discrimination with the Title IX Coordinator, Tiffany Cox. For more information about Rhodes’s sexual misconduct policy or to make a report, please go here .

School of Law

Academic programs, juris doctor (jd).

• Core Subjects
• Elective Courses
• Apprenticeship Program
• Methods of Instructions
• Tuition Fees
• Scholarships and Student Loans

The Juris Doctor Program Core Subjects

First semester.

Second Semester

Constitutional Law I  (4 units) The course undertakes a survey and evaluation of basic principles contained in the Philippine Constitution dealing with the structure of the Philippine Government.   Criminal Law I  (3 units) This course covers Book One of the Revised Penal Code, which contains the provisions on felonies, circumstances which affect criminal liability, persons criminally liable for felonies, penalties imposed, the extinction of criminal liability, as well as civil liability.   Introduction to Law  (1 unit) This is an overview of the various aspects of the concept of law with emphasis on the relationship between law, jurisprudence, courts, society, and public policy.   Legal Profession  (1 unit) This subject begins with an examination of the role of lawyers throughout history, through the study of the major legal systems in the world, and an examination of how these systems figure in the history and development of the legal profession in the Philippines.   Legal Research and Writing I  (1 unit) This course focuses on the importance of legal research and teaches students how to effectively research using various sources and tools. It introduces students to the methodology of legal research and the preparation of legal opinions, memoranda, and related matters.   Persons and Family Relations  (4 units) This is a study of the laws on Persons and Family Relations as contained in the Preliminary and Human Relations chapters of the New Civil Code of the Philippines, the Family Code of the Philippines, and the pertinent chapters of the New Civil Code of the Philippines. Special laws relevant to the family are also included.   Philosophy of Law  (2 units) This subject looks into the historical roots of law, the schools of legal thought that spurred its growth and development, and the primordial purpose of law and legal education. It involves a philosophical reflection on the nature of law, and surveys classical, modern, and contemporary theories of law. Moreover, it seeks to develop in the student a reasoned, healthy, and critical approach toward the law and its institutions, including legal education.    Statutory Construction  (2 units) This course explores the use and force of statutes and the principles and methods of their construction and interpretation.   Constitutional Law II  (3 units) This course is a study of the Philippine Constitution, specifically the bill of rights, citizenship and suffrage, social justice and human rights, and judicial review of acts affecting them.   Criminal Law II  (4 units) This is a study of specific felonies penalized in Book II of the Revised Penal Code, their nature, elements, and corresponding penalties. Such felonies include crimes against the fundamental laws of the state, crimes against public interest, crimes against persons, and quasi-offenses, among others.   Legal Technique and Logic  (2 units) This is a course on the methods of reasoning, syllogisms, arguments and explanations, deductions, the truth table demonstrating invalidity and inconsistency, and propositional functions.  It also includes the logical organization of legal language and logical testing of judicial reasoning.   Legal Writing  (2 units) This is a foundational course on the principles, elements, and techniques of legal writing. It involves a review of the basic rules for form and style, argumentation, advocacy, legal research, legal citation and legal bibliography, case digesting and reporting analysis, legal reasoning, and preparation of legal opinions or memoranda.   Obligations and Contracts  (5 units) This is a study of the nature, kinds and effect of obligations, and their extinguishment; and contracts in general, their requisites, form and interpretation, as well as the various kinds of defective contracts. It also surveys natural obligations, estoppel, and prescription.   Theology and the Law – Social Teachings of the Church  (2 units) This course traces the historical development of significant Papal encyclicals that have relevance to the legal profession in order to provide a better understanding of the mission of the Church in the modern world, and the role that lawyers and judges play. It endeavors to contextualize the vision and mission of the Church in the Filipino setting and culture, in order to achieve an interiorized consciousness of the challenges that face the legal profession.

Second Year

Intersession

APPRENTICESHIP (120 Hours) – 2 

SECOND YEAR, First Semester 

Administrative Law and Law on Public Officers (2 units) 

This course deals with the development of the law and the various principles used by  administrative agencies in the performance of their functions. It focuses principally on the  investigatory, rule-making, and adjudicatory powers exercised by an administrative agency as provided in the Revised Administrative Code, and the availability of judicial relief. 

Agency, Trusts, and Partnership Law (3 units) 

This course studies the non-corporate media of pursuing business and transactions, namely agency, business trusts, partnership, and joint venture arrangements. It also covers the rules and  regulations issued by government agencies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel bearing on the matters covered by the course. 

Basic Legal and Judicial Ethics (3 units) 

This course focuses on the canons of legal ethics involving the duties and responsibilities of the  lawyer with respect to the client, the court, the bar, and the public. 

Civil Procedure I (4 units) 

This course is a study of Rules 1-56 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, as amended. It reviews  the differences between substantive and remedial law, the basic principles of jurisdiction, and the  power of the Supreme Court to promulgate the Rules of Court.  

Election Laws (1 unit) 

This course deals with the various laws on Election. 

Environmental and Natural Resources Law (2 units) 

This course studies the constitutional provisions and special laws governing natural resources,  their use and disposition. It tackles current environmental concerns and issues and the laws that  govern them. 

Property and Land Laws (4 units) 

This course studies the law on the different classifications of property, ownership, co-ownership,  condominiums, possession, usufruct, easements, nuisance, and the different modes of acquiring  ownership, including donations (but excluding tradition, intellectual creation, and succession).  This course also studies the systems and methods of registration of titles and deeds to land,  including related land tenure instruments. 

Sales (2 units) 

This is an examination of the provisions of the New Civil Code on the contract of sale, its nature  and form, the obligations of the parties, warranties, remedies, breach of contract, and  conventional and legal redemption. It includes assignment of credits and incorporeal rights, and  the relevant provisions of the Electronic Commerce Act.

SECOND YEAR, Second Semester 

Basic Taxation Law I (2 units) 

This course discusses the general principles of taxation and statutory provisions on income  taxation, including pertinent revenue regulations. 

Corporation and Basic Securities Law (4 units) 

This is a study of the Corporation Code and other special laws governing private corporations,  including foreign corporations and the concept of doing business in the Philippines. It includes  in-depth analyses of the applicable common law and commercial law principles underlying the  various relationships in the corporate setting. It also surveys the structure, powers, and  

jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the pertinent provisions of the  Securities Regulation Code. 

Civil Procedure II (2 units) 

This course is a study of Rules 57-71 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, as amended. It reviews the differences between substantive and remedial law, the basic principles of jurisdiction, and the power of the Supreme Court to promulgate the Rules of Court.  

Criminal Procedure (3 units) 

This course studies Rules 110-127 of the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure covered by,  including the basic rights of the accused, the jurisdiction of courts, and the system of criminal  justice administration. 

Labor Law and Social Legislation I (2 units) 

This course is an introduction to Philippine Labor Laws. It covers several sections of the Labor  Code, including the Preliminary Title, Pre-Employment, Human Resources Development,  Conditions of Employment, and Health, Safety, and Social Welfare Benefits. Other important  laws such as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act are also covered. 

Laws on Local Government (2 unit) 

This course studies the Local Government Code and provides an understanding of the nature of  local government units, its autonomy, powers, funding, officials, accountability, and people's  participation. 

Public International Law (3 units) 

This is an overview of the legal principles governing international relations based, among others,  on the United Nations Charter and other treaties, and the decisions of international tribunals. It  includes an introduction to the law of nations and international organizations, and a review of  relevant international and Philippine case and treaty law. 

Torts and Damages (2 units) 

This subject involves the study of the concepts of fault and negligence giving rise to civil  liability on the part of persons not bound by contract, and others who, by virtue of their  relationship with the tortfeasor, may also be held civilly liable with them. It also includes the  types of damages that may be awarded, the requirements for awarding each type of damages, and  the defenses available to either mitigate or evade liability for damages.

THIRD YEAR, First Semester 

Basic Succession Law (4 units) 

This is a detailed evaluation of the law on testate and intestate succession, including wills, institution of heirs, computation of legitimacy of compulsory heirs, disinheritance, and partition and distribution of the estate. 

Basic Taxation II (2 units) 

This is a study of the concepts and general principles of transfer, value-added, excise, and other percentage and miscellaneous taxes, provided in the National Internal Revenue Code; the remedies available to the government and the taxpayer; fundamentals of local taxation; and the general principles on tariff and customs duties. 

Commercial Law I: Insurance Law and Transportation (3 units) 

This is a study of the Insurance Code and related laws, including the concept and function of insurance, the nature of the insurance contract, insurable interest, special forms of insurance, and government regulation of the business. Moreover, this course is also a study of the general principles and basic regulations governing common carriers by land, sea, and air. Specifically, it  examines the laws relevant to transportation of goods and passengers for compensation, as well as the relevant cases that establish the obligations and liabilities of the common carriers. 

Evidence (4 units) 

This course looks into the rules of presentation, admissibility, and weight and sufficiency of evidence, including burden of proof and presumptions. 

Fundamentals of Thesis Writing I (1 unit) 

This course is an instructional guide to the preparation and writing of a legal thesis, with the  objective of choosing a subject and drafting an outline for the J.D. thesis to be submitted and defended by the student. 

Labor Law and Social Legislation II (3 units) 

This course covers sections of the Labor Code dealing with Labor Relations, Post-employment,  and the Transitory and Final Provisions. It deals with topics such as labor organizations, unfair labor practices, collective bargaining, termination of employment, and disputes arising from such.

Special Commercial Laws: IP, Data Privacy, Banking, Negotiable Instruments, Competition Law (3 units) 

A survey of the important principles and concepts of basic laws on intellectual property, data privacy, banking, negotiable instruments and competition law.

THIRD YEAR, Second Semester 

Commercial Law II: Credit Transactions and Financial Rehabilitation (3 units) This is a study of the law governing loans and deposits, including mortgages, guaranties, and  similar credit transactions, as amended by the Personal Property Securities Act. In addition, the  course integrates discussion on relevant provisions of laws on financial rehabilitation.  

Fundamentals of Thesis Writing II (1 unit) 

A continuation of Fundamentals of Thesis Writing I, this course aims to guide students as they  progress in researching on and formulating their arguments, and as they write the body of their  theses. It requires the students to defend their thesis proposals and outlines before a panel, in  preparation for the actual thesis defense. 

Gender Sensitivity, and Laws on Women and Children’s Rights (2 Units) The course seeks to provide students with an understanding of gender and child sensitivity and  equality and non-discrimination laws and principles.  

Human Rights Law (2 units) 

This course focuses on the concept of human rights as enunciated in the Universal Declaration of  Human Rights; International Covenants on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and on Civil  and Political Rights; and humanitarian laws. It also reviews the state of observance of human  rights and the means to implement human rights at various levels. 

Legal Forms (2 units) 

This course instructs students in the drafting of various legal documents and deeds, as well as  judicial pleadings and briefs. 

Medical Jurisprudence (1 unit) 

This course includes the study of both medical jurisprudence and legal medicine. It examines the  legal principles that relate to the medical field and medico-legal cases. It provides an overview of  forensic medicine as it relates to legal problems, particularly in the fields of criminal and civil  law. 

Private International Law (3 units) 

This is a course dealing with legal transactions or relationships involving foreign elements with  emphasis on the choice of law, including problems in jurisdiction and the recognition and  enforcement of foreign judgments. 

Special Rules and Proceedings (2 units) 

This is a study of Rules 72-109 of the Revised Rules of Court. It deals with, among other things,  the procedural rules on the settlement of estate of deceased persons, guardianship, appointment  of trustees, adoption, habeas corpus, cancellation and correction of entries in the Civil Registry, 

and appeals on special proceedings. It also covers the rules on injunctive writs and temporary restraining orders, as well as the special rule covering the writ of kalikasan.

Fourth Year

FOURTH YEAR, First Semester 

Civil Law Review and Integration I (4 units) 

This is a general integration of the principles in civil law covering the effect and application of laws, the law on human relations, persons and family relations, property, ownership and its modifications, and the different modes of acquiring ownership. 

Criminal Law Review and Integration (4 units) 

This is a general review of the Revised Penal Code with its latest amendments, other penal statutes, and relevant jurisprudence.  

Legal and Judicial Ethics and Practical Exercises Review and Integration (2 units) The course involves a review of legal and judicial ethics, covered by the Code of Professional  Responsibility and Accountability as well as related jurisprudence. It also provides survey and review of key legal forms and memoranda. 

Political Law Review and Integration (5 units) 

This is an integrated survey of the Constitution of the Philippines, administrative law, law on public officers, the Local Government Code, and election laws. 

Remedial Law Review and Integration (3 units) 

This is a general review and integration of the rules on Civil Procedure (Rules 1-71) and Special  Proceedings (Rules 72-109) of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, as amended. 

FOURTH YEAR, Second Semester 

Civil Law Review and Integration II (3 units) 

This is a general integration of the principles in civil law relating to succession, obligations and contracts, sales, lease, quasi-contracts, quasi-delicts, and damages. 

Commercial Law Review and Integration (5 units) 

This is a survey and review of the laws on partnership, agency, trusts, corporations, securities,  negotiable instruments, insurance, and transportation. 

Labor Law Review and Integration (3 units) 

This is an integration of the laws on labor standards and labor relations, related social welfare legislation, as well as landmark and recent jurisprudence on labor laws. 

Remedial Law Review and Integration II (3 units) 

This is a general review and integration of the rules on Criminal Procedure (Rules 110-127) and  Evidence (Rules 128-134) of the Rules of Court.  

Taxation Law Review and Integration (3 units) 

This is a general integration of principles of tax laws, including income, transfer, value-added tax, and other business taxes. It also includes a review of local and real property taxation, and the basic principles of the Tariff and Customs Code.

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