Module overview
This module will provide you with a developed understanding of what is law; how much law can be justified; how law relates to morality and justice, indeed whether there is any morality that is unique to law. The first part of the module will canvass what is unique about legal obligation and law’s claim to authority. In the second part of the module you will look at different theories of justice and the tension they pose between individuality and community. The third part of the module will apply the work from the first two parts towards examining how we might the law be used to promote justice. The theory and practice of law will be examined and reflected upon in a slower and more advanced way than in the LAWS1012 Legal System and Reasoning module taken in Year 1 of the Programme. The module will be taught in holistic way, so that theories of law and theories and justice can be seen in the way they relate and complement one another to reflect both justification and limits for good governance. As a prospective lawyer, it is believed that significantly better and more sophisticated legal analysis and argument can be formed once central legal concepts and principles can be seen in the way they relate to theories of law and justice. As such, this module will deeply inform your doctrinal study of law with the conceptual analysis which underpins law’s search for justice.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- form a comprehensive independent argument about the nature of law and its relationship with morality and to back it up thoroughly with examples from legal and constitutional doctrine;
- perceptively and comprehensively link theoretical insights to the formation and defence of original legal argument.
- interact critically and skilfully with materials in political and legal theory concerning theories of justice, individuality, community, culture and difference relating it to current social problems and political conflicts;
- adeptly conduct independent research concerning particular issues arising from understanding of law and its relationship to justice;
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- capably apply knowledge to solve a wide range practical problems;
- communicate very lucidly and present written arguments supported by the full scope of appropriate evidence.
- formulate an effective, reasoned and structured argument in depth;
- analyse, interpret and evaluate particularly complex material;
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- the nature of law and legal reasoning and to appreciate the challenges facing both;
- the connection between conceptual understanding of law and its practice;
- the tension and complementarities that exists between the limit and justification of law, the nature of law, and living in a just, democratic society;
- a wide range of liberal, libertarian and communitarian theories of justice and their relationship to justified and limited governance;
- the full scope of challenges posed by the notion of difference, especially cultural difference, in reflection upon justice and law;
- the connection between conceptual inquiry and the formation of original argument in law.
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- demonstrate a thorough knowledge and critical understanding of jurisprudential concerns and adeptly provide the linkage to the formation and defence of legal argument.
Syllabus
The module will consider key texts in analytical jurisprudence in depth e.g. legal positivism and the authority and functions of law. The second and third parts will discuss key theories of normative jurisprudence and political theory and their application, including liberal, libertarian and communitarian theories of justice drawing particular attention to the relationship between the right and the good, preventing undesirable behaviour and the morality of redistributing goods.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching will be by one, two-hour seminar per week.
The two-hour seminars are intended as occasions for detailed discussion of specific topics within the broader areas covered and you are expected to come fully prepared. Reading and questions for preparation will be placed on Blackboard in advance of each tutorial. Seminars are also occasions for you to raise problems and questions and to obtain feedback on your progress.
Teaching methods include:
- Small group seminar work focused on problem solving skills and development of reasoned argument.
- Advance study is required for the tutorials and active participation required by all members of the group.
Attendance at sessions will develop a general overview of key concerns around a topic.
Preparation for seminars will develop:
- Knowledge of the substantive principles of specific topics in jurisprudence and political theory.
- Ability to manage and access diverse range of sources of law, especially statutory material and case law, many on-line;
- Ability to critically evaluate those sources and participate constructively in oral discussions concerning them;
- Ability to structure and express thoughts in logically coherent way;
- Ability to apply those materials to problem solving exercises;
- Time management and research skills.
Learning activities include:
- Directed reading assisted by reading lists and availability of materials on Blackboard;
- Accessing electronic resources in the form of legislation, journals and case materials;
- Reviewing and evaluating complex material;
- Formulating and presenting in oral and written form reasoned and structured arguments through formative tutorial activities and assessment.
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Preparation for scheduled sessions | 126 |
Seminar | 24 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
J. Raz. The Morality of Freedom.
J. Rawls. Political Liberalism.
Hart H. L. A. The Concept of Law.
Rawls J.. A Theory of Justice.
Madison Powers and Ruth Faden. Social Justice: The Moral Foundations of Public Health and Health Policy.
R. Dworkin. Law’s Empire.
S.Mulhal and A.Swift. Liberals and Communitarians.
Raz J.. The Authority of Law; The Morality of Freedom.
H.L.A. Hart. Essays on Bentham.
J. Raz. Practical Reasons and Norms.
Assessment
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Essay
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback: Additionally, a feedback session will be provided where general essay questions, approaches and answers will be discussed more fully.
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Essay | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Essay | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Essay | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External