Postgraduate Course: Legal and Political Philosophy (MSc) (PHIL11046)
Course Outline
| School |
School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College |
College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type |
Standard |
Availability |
Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) |
SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits |
20 |
| Home subject area |
Philosophy |
Other subject area |
None |
| Course website |
None |
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| Course description |
This course explores both the history of, and the current arguments about, natural law and positivism. It begins by analysing the origins of natural law theory, through the works of Cicero, Aquinas, Grotius, Hobbes and Locke, and examines the ways in which natural law was thought to intersect with morality, politics and civil / customary law.
The second half of the course focuses on the contemporary debate between Legal Positivism and Natural Law Theory, looking in particular at the views of leading contemporary positivist H.L.A Hart and his critics.
Shared with UG Course PP0080 Legal & Political Philosophy. |
Entry Requirements
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites |
|
| Prohibited Combinations |
|
Other requirements |
None
|
| Additional Costs |
None |
Course Delivery Information
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing the course, students will:
- have an understanding of some of the foundational texts of natural law theory
- appreciate the history of natural law theory, and how it developed in connection with certain accounts of morality, positive law and political obligation / authority
- have a critical grasp of the ongoing controversy between natural law and legal positivism
- be able to demonstrate in written work, presentations and other oral contributions a judicious analysis of the most significant arguments for and against both natural law theory and legal positivism |
Assessment Information
| One 2500 word essay |
| Please see Visiting Student Prospectus website for Visiting Student Assessment information |
Special Arrangements
| Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser |
Dr Hannah Dawson
Tel: (0131 6)50 3772
Email: hannah.dawson@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary |
Miss Lynsey Buchanan
Tel: (0131 6)51 5002
Email: Lynsey.Buchanan@ed.ac.uk |
|
copyright 2010 The University of Edinburgh -
1 September 2010 6:33 am
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