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The University of Texas at Austin School of Law

Jurisprudence

  • Semester: Fall 2016
  • Course ID: 339
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • Unique: 28745

Course Information

  • Grading Method: Pass/Fail Allowed (JD only)

Registration Information

  • Upperclass-only elective

Meeting Times

Day Time Location
TUE, THU 2:15 - 3:30 pm TNH 3.115

Evaluation Method

Type Date Time Location
Paper

Description

The course will be a study of central question in the philosophy of law: What is the nature of law? What distinguishes a legal system from other systems of norms? What place if any does morality have in a legal system? Do the norms of a legal system determine the decisions judges make in the cases before them? Are judges, that is, constrained by legal norms in reaching decisions in those cases? Are there norms or methods of legal reasoning that judges should follow in reaching decisions? Readings for the course will be a mix of historical and contemporary writings, including those of Aquinas, Hobbes, John Austin, H. L A. Hart, and Ronald Dworkin. No previous study of philosophy will be assumed.

Textbooks ( * denotes required )

Taking Rights Seriously *
Dworkin, Ronald
Harvard Univ Press , edition: paperback
The Concept of Law *
Hart, H.L.A., EdsRaz & Bulloch
Oxford University Press , edition: 3rd, 2012, paperback
ISBN: 13: 978-0199644704
Leviathan: With selected variants from the Latin edition of 1668 (Hackett Classics) (optional)
Thomas Hobbes Leviathan
Hackett Publishing Company
ISBN: 978-0872201774

Instructors

Headshot of Deigh, John Deigh, John
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Important Class Changes

Date Updated
09/02/2016 Exam information updated
Instructor(s) updated