Undergraduate Course: Philosophy of Law (PHIL10166)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course will introduce students to a number of topics and questions in contemporary philosophy of law. |
| Course description |
This course will introduce students to some issues in contemporary philosophy of law. The course focuses on conceptual and normative questions about the nature of law in general rather than on particular legal systems. Topics to be covered in the course may include the normativity, validity and authority of the law, the relationship between law and morality, the duty to obey the law, the justification of punishment, the role of mens rea in criminal law, criminal responsibility, feminist legal theory, as well as (in rotation) particular issues about criminality and legalization, such as drugs, pornography, hate speech.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
Knowledge and Reality (PHIL08017) AND
Mind, Matter and Language (PHIL08014)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Students studying on MA Cognitive Science (Humanities) are permitted to take this course without having met the pre-requisites of Mind, Matter and Language and Knowledge and Reality. However, it is advisable that students discuss the suitability of the course with their PT and the course organiser before enrolling. |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Students will acquire a detailed understanding of a selection of central theories and arguments from contemporary philosophy of law, and will demonstrate this understanding in discussions and essays.
- Students will be able to critically assess and compare some principal contemporary arguments and positions in the philosophy of law and to deploy these arguments for themselves
- Students will improve their ability to analyse complex arguments and concepts and to critically dissect arguments and will apply these abilities to topics in the philosophy of law.
- Students will improve their general conceptual facilities and the level of clarity, rigour and structural transparency in their writing and discussion. Students will develop appropriate research skills in philosophy.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Philosophy,Law |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Michael Cholbi
Tel:
Email: mcholbi@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Ann-Marie Cowe
Tel: (0131 6)50 3961
Email: Annmarie.Cowe@ed.ac.uk |
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