Preferencias académicas de los estudiantes de la carrera de Derecho y su vinculación con los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) a través del estudio de sentencias

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this work was to examine the factors that affect law students in the formation of their preferences for specific areas in legal science and their future specialization. In a closed-question form, a mixed methodology was used to record the motivations, skills, and goals of ten students close to graduating. With Sustainable Development Goal 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions, the ruling 214-18-SEP-CC of the Constitutional Court of Ecuador is examined. The results show that the main drivers for studying law are personal decision, social phenomena, and the search for justice. The areas with the greatest affinity include civil, criminal, constitutional, and human rights. Technological innovation in the workplace is the early effect of the pandemic. Upon graduation, most plan to work in state organizations or group law firms. The analysis of the judgments highlights the importance of fully justifying judicial decisions as an essential component of constitutional guarantees of due process and effective access to justice. In this way, both individual and institutional contributions to SDG 16 are identified. Finally, suggestions are made to expand the body of legal knowledge on procedural guarantees, link SDG 16 to material failures, and establish research environments.