Entry requirements

At least 60 credits in practical philosophy or law

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide thorough insight into philosophy of law, theory of law and jurisprudence, as well as understanding of judicial reasoning and methodology. Focus is on training the ability to critical examine and judge facts and results on the grounds of different conceptual frameworks, as well as offer the student the necessary instruments to carry out an investigation in the field and present the results in an essay.

Specific objectives:

Knowledge and understanding

After completing the course the student should:

- be familiar with key concepts and main directions of the literature in the field;

- understand, and be able to identify different argumentative traditions in the contemporary world.

Skills and ability

After completing the course the student should:

- be able to identify and describe different characteristics of theories of law;

- be able to present some different explanatory perspectives on law-making;

- be able to identify certain empirical studies within these explanatory perspectives.

Judgement, approach and practical relevance

After completing the course the student should:

- have developed a critical approach towards a number of issues in the literature;

- be familiar with some of the most widely used theories of law;

- be able to demonstrate some advantages and problems of using such teories.

Content

This course provides an overview of leading legal theories and selected legal concepts. This entails developing the intellectual skills essential to an evaluation of the acceptability or otherwise of ideas of law, rights and justice.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars and paper-writing.

Assessment

Examination is made in form of written exam.

Active participation and good performance in class may be considered during the examination to the favour of the student.

A student who has failed the examination has the right to a re-examination. Normally an additional opportunity is given some time after the ordinary examination.

If the examination timeframe is not kept, the examiner decides how the examination should be conducted and the appropriate time frame for it.

Other regulations

The course is given both as a first cycle or as a second cycle course.