Entry requirements

82.5 credits in Philosophy (teaching subject or main field of study)

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 critically examine and judge facts and results on the grounds of different conceptual frameworks, as well as offering the student the necessary tools to carry out an investigation in the field and present the results in writing.

Specific learning outcomes

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 field.

Skills and ability

After completing the course, the student should have acquired the skill and capacity to:

• identify and describe different characteristics of theories of law
• present some different explanatory perspectives on law-making
• identify certain empirical studies within these explanatory perspectives.

Judgement, approach and practical relevance

After completing the course, the student should:

• be familiar with some of the most widely used theories of law
• be able to demonstrate some advantages and problems of using such theories
• be able to develop a critical approach towards a number of issues in the literature
• be able to analyse perspectives on law as an integrated part in a scientific approach to it.

Content

This course provides an overview of leading legal theories and selected legal concepts, in order for the student to develop the intellectual skills essential to an evaluation of the acceptability or otherwise of ideas concerning law, rights and justice.

Instruction

The instruction is given in the form of lectures.

Assessment

Assessment is based upon an anonymous written take-home examination (3000 words).

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

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.