Jurisprudence

Semester: Fall 2022
Course ID: 385C
Credit Hours: 3
Unique: 29170

Course Information

Grading Method: Pass/Fail Allowed (JD only)
Will use floating mean GPA if applicable

Registration Information

Upperclass-only elective

Meeting Times

Day	Time	Location
TUE, THU	3:45 - 5:00 pm	JON 5.206

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 )

The Concept of Law *

H.L.A. Hart

Oxford Univ. Press , edition: 2nd, paperback
ISBN: 978-0-19-964470-4

Taking Rights Seriously *

Ronald Dworkin

Harvard Univ. Press , edition: Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-674-86711-6

Instructors

Deigh, John