Program overview
The program studies jus gentium through Natural Law, Christian jurisprudence, Catholic moral thought and the classical tradition of the Law of Nations. Its intellectual range extends from classical and medieval sources through the School of Salamanca, with particular attention to Francisco de Vitoria and Francisco Suárez. Candidates examine sovereignty, political authority, war and peace, human dignity, international order, relations among nations and the moral foundations of international legal institutions.
Each candidate develops an original dissertation under faculty supervision. The dissertation must present a sustained contribution to legal scholarship and demonstrate command of the primary sources, languages and research methods appropriate to its subject.
Admission requirements
- A first degree in law, such as a J.D., LL.B., Bachelor of Laws, Bacharelado em Direito, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to PCU-USA.
- An LL.M. or equivalent advanced graduate preparation in law.
- Official transcripts from every postsecondary institution attended.
- A curriculum vitae describing academic, professional and research experience.
- A statement of purpose explaining the applicant’s doctoral aims and preparation for advanced legal research.
- A preliminary dissertation proposal identifying an original and viable question in the Law of Nations.
- A substantial legal writing sample demonstrating advanced research and argumentation.
- Evidence of proficiency in the language or languages required for the proposed research. Reading competence in Latin or another source language may be required by the dissertation topic.
Curriculum
- Foundations of Jus Gentium — 3 credits
- Natural Law and the International Order — 3 credits
- Aquinas and the Law of Nations — 3 credits
- Francisco de Vitoria and the School of Salamanca — 3 credits
- Francisco Suárez and Christian Jurisprudence — 3 credits
- Sovereignty in Christian Political Thought — 3 credits
- War, Peace, and the Moral Law — 3 credits
- Human Dignity and the Community of Nations — 3 credits
- The Holy See and International Relations — 3 credits
- Advanced Seminar in Christian Jurisprudence — 3 credits
- Doctoral Research Methodology — 3 credits
- Doctoral Colloquium — 3 credits
- Comprehensive Examination — 0 credits
- Dissertation Proposal — 6 credits
- Doctoral Dissertation — 18 credits
- Dissertation Defense — 0 credits
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate advanced command of the Christian and Natural Law traditions of jus gentium.
- Interpret the historical development of the Law of Nations within Christian jurisprudence.
- Critically engage the works of Vitoria, Suárez, Aquinas and related thinkers.
- Evaluate sovereignty, war, peace, political authority and international order through juridical and moral reasoning.
- Design and conduct original doctoral research using appropriate legal and interdisciplinary methods.
- Produce and defend a substantial dissertation that contributes to scholarship in the Law of Nations.
Assessment
- Assessment includes primary-source commentaries, advanced legal research papers, jurisprudential essays, seminar leadership, oral examinations and doctoral colloquia. Candidates must pass a comprehensive examination and obtain approval of the dissertation proposal before entering the dissertation phase. An appointed committee evaluates the dissertation, which culminates in an oral defense under the University’s standards for doctoral research and academic integrity.
Completion requirements
- Earn all 60 required credits.
- Pass the comprehensive examination and remain in satisfactory academic standing.
- Obtain approval of the dissertation proposal.
- Complete and successfully defend an original doctoral dissertation.
- Resolve all academic-record and graduation requirements before conferral.