Course Description
Theories of the origin and justification of legal systems, our obligation to obey the law, justice, punishment, and related issues. Readings from classical and contemporary sources.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
- characterize and compare theories of law,
- apply those theories to specific cases and legal systems, and explain how differences in their application bear on the theories themselves,
- analyze a meta-philosophical issue,
- distinguish the argument given for a philosophical position from the position itself,
- assess and compare those arguments.
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Reading Quizzes | 40% |
| Questions Exams | 30% |
| Essay Exams | 30% |
Grading Scale:
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 100 % to 94.0% | A |
| < 94.0 % to 90.0% | A- |
| < 90.0 % to 87.0% | B+ |
| < 87.0 % to 84.0% | B |
| < 84.0 % to 80.0% | B- |
| < 80.0 % to 77.0% | C+ |
| < 77.0 % to 74.0% | C |
| < 74.0 % to 70.0% | C- |
| < 70.0 % to 67.0% | D+ |
| < 67.0 % to 64.0% | D |
| < 64.0 % to 61.0% | D- |
| < 61.0 % to 0.0% | F |
Attendance/Participation:
Constructive, thoughtful, enthusiastic, and polite class participation will be used to ‘bump up’ borderline grades at the end of the semester. No formal attendance is taken, but the reading quizzes can only be taken by students physically present in class.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
- Printed Course Packet
- The Concept of Law (any edition) by H.L.A. Hart
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.