Head of the Private Law Department of the Faculty of Law: “Why should students choose this faculty, given the cultural and academic opportunities offered by Istanbul, the wide scholarship opportunities, and the qualified academic staff?”
Istanbul Commerce University Faculty of Law Private Law Department Head Prof. Dr. Şahin Akıncı responded to our questions about the Law Department.
What is the primary objective of the Faculty of Law?
In essence, the primary objective of law faculties is to educate and train qualified lawyers. Our objective is to educate and train competent lawyers. The students we educate and train will subsequently pursue careers in various professional fields and professions. However, if they become competent lawyers, they will be able to find a suitable position in any field. The primary objective is to educate and train qualified lawyers in our country, as is the case in the rest of the world. In addition, the aim is to foster the development of morally upright individuals.
What are the essential elements of a quality legal education?
In order to receive a good law education, it is first necessary to have students who are willing to pursue such an education. In other words, there is a need for students who are aware of this and who express a desire to become a competent lawyer. This is a sine qua non condition. In addition, the most significant factor in legal education is the faculty member, the teacher. It is therefore essential to have qualified teachers. It is essential that teachers possess a comprehensive understanding of the law, the ability to elucidate its intricacies effectively, a genuine passion for their profession, and a commitment to imparting their knowledge to their students. This is of significant importance. One can be a competent scientist without necessarily being passionate about one’s work or motivated to disseminate accurate information to students. However, it is difficult to provide a quality education in such circumstances. Furthermore, there is no laboratory in law. In contrast, it is evident that libraries and resources are required. In this regard, the library facilities at Istanbul Commerce University are of a high standard, as are the opportunities for academic staff to engage in research and teaching. These are the most significant opportunities it offers. It is evident that physical facilities are of significant importance. It is important to reiterate two key factors: the role of the professor and the library in legal education.
What are the reasons for students to select the Faculty of Law?
Throughout history, legal education has been a significant and valued educational pursuit globally. Consequently, lawyers occupy a pivotal position within society. In whatever capacity they are employed, whether in the public or private sector, lawyers occupy a pivotal position in society. They oversee the direction of society. Those who guide and shape society have historically been lawyers. Consequently, it is not necessary to be a lawyer in order to occupy a prominent position in society; however, it is an advantageous qualification. It is beneficial to express this. It is, of course, the case that upon graduating from university, individuals aspire to gain employment, embark on a career, and earn a living. A law degree provides students with a plethora of opportunities within the legal profession. There are a number of traditional areas of employment in which graduates of law schools are typically engaged. Furthermore, individuals who have not completed a law degree are precluded from certain roles, including those of judge, prosecutor, lawyer, or notary public. This is a significant consideration, although it is not the sole determining factor. It is possible for them to work in a number of areas within the public sector. It is possible for them to work in a number of different areas within the bureaucracy. It is also evident that some lawyers are transferring the knowledge they have acquired during their studies to the private sector. Even if they engage in some work outside of the legal profession, they can achieve remarkable success with the knowledge and skills they have acquired in this field. Consequently, if students express an interest in the social sciences and are inclined to pursue a career in law, I would strongly encourage them to do so. However, I feel compelled to add the following: The role of a lawyer carries with it a significant degree of responsibility. As a lawyer, one is responsible for the distribution of justice. The role of a lawyer is not merely a means of financial gain or accumulation of wealth. Consequently, it is imperative to possess a robust sense of justice. It is, of course, necessary to continue to advocate for this cause after graduation. To those who are prepared to embrace this challenge, I would suggest that they consider undertaking a course of study at a law school.
Is legal education a challenging educational experience that relies heavily on rote memorization?
It is not an easy training programme. Indeed, education is not a straightforward endeavour. It is inevitable that any field of study will present challenges to the learner. As educators, our role is to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge in an accessible and straightforward manner. It is therefore imperative that we endeavour to convey this information in an accessible manner, rather than in a manner that is overly complex. I have previously stated that the field of law is not an easy one to navigate, given the numerous and complex developments that have occurred within it. The social landscape is in a state of constant flux, and as lawyers, it is our duty to keep pace with these developments. New problems have arisen. It is therefore necessary to identify solutions to these issues. This necessitates, above all, a comprehensive understanding of the law. Consequently, it necessitates a significant investment of time and effort. Nevertheless, it is not beyond the realms of possibility. Does the course rely on rote memorization? This question is frequently posed. It is not possible to state categorically that it does not rely on memorisation. However, it is not possible to state with certainty that it is memorised. Why is it that I am unable to provide an answer? Indeed, it could be argued that there is a certain degree of memorisation inherent to the very nature of scientific enquiry. Mathematics is a discipline that employs logic and reasoning. Indeed, this is accurate. This is largely the case in the sciences. However, it should be noted that there is also a certain degree of memorisation involved in mathematics. To illustrate, mathematical formulas are memorized. Memorisation is also a method, provided that it is not excessive.
