Resources for research in canon law
This website intends to help students and researchers in the field of canon law and the law of religions, to find and access relevant resources for research.
This website is organised in four parts:
1) How to start research?
2) How to find relevant resources?
How to start research?
First one needs to get introduced in the focus and methodology of the particular discipline. Studies at the Faculty of Canon Law focusses on the law of religions and canon law. In order to do so, different disciplines are used, like there are: legal methodology, theology, philosophy, sociology and organization management. Each of these has their own focus and particular methodology.
In order to get introduced in the way of working of a particular discipline, one needs to read introductory study books or take introductory courses. Beside of the focus and methodology, it is also important to get familiar with the different subdisciplines as most the organization of libraries and databases is based on the organization of the discipline itselves. This introduction(s) therefore will help to find your way through the world of scientific resources.
This Wiki on Canon Law can help to get introduced in the science of canon Law.
How to find resources? Check the relevant database.
Databases commonly are the starting point to find resources. This website gives an overview of databases, relevant for research in canon law. The Central Library's webpage (KU Leuven) gives research tutorials for different disciplines. Also the website of the Library of Theology and Religious Studies is very helpful. Finally it is possible to check the search engine LIMO for relevant databases.
How to access books, articles and other resources?
Several databases give access to full-text articles or books. This website (still under construction) provides an overview of all journals relevant for research in canon law, available online in full-text.
Besides, the Faculty of Canon Law provides online the Tables of Contents of different journals relevant for research in canon law (still under construction). Staff and students can send a request to the Faculty in order to get a scanned copy of the requested article. (Parts of) books are only provided exceptionally.
In case the book or articles cannot be provided online, one finds a bibliographical reference with which the books or journal can be found in one of the libraries of KU Leuven. Search and research tips can help to find the books in the libraries.
The library of Theology and Religious Studies
An extensive collection of canon law books and journals is available in the library of the faculty of Theology. Students of KU Leuven have free access with their student card. Students of other universities and external users, need to pay to pass.
Contact information and opening hours is available on their website.
Make an aquisition request
In case a journal or book in the field of Theology or Canon Law is not available in the library, everyone can make an aquisition request to the Faculty of Theology and Religions Studies. You will be informed when your book or journal has arrived.
The collection at the Faculty of Canon Law
The faculty of Canon Law has a collection of canon law reviews and books situated at the faculty. Students can consult the collection every working day by appointment. Click here for a list of available reviews.
The faculty also possesses a part of the personal archives of Monseigneur Willy Onclin (1905-1989), professor at our faculty and member of the pontifical commission of the revision of the Code of Canon Law of 1917. In this capacity, he played a major role in the publication of the new Code of Canon Law 1983. His personal archives can be consulted by appointment.
