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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2019 - 2020

Module Title Jurisprudence
Module Code LG327
School School of Law & Government

Online Module Resources

NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description

The aims of this module are: (a) to enable students to understand some of the theories that underpin western legal philosophy, particularly positivism and natural law; (b) to facilitate students in developing an appreciation of how these theories relate to each other; (c) to enable students to indicate how such theories affect choices, particularly with regard to identifying how judges and legislators regard some principles as of higher importance than others. (d) to introduce students to the study of theories of justice, including liberalism and feminism, and to understand how these relate to law; (e) to appreciate the theoretical dimensions of the act of interpretation in law

Learning Outcomes

1. explain and describe some of the principal theories underpinning western legal philosophy;
2. indicate the shortcomings and strengths of each such theory, and to identify how these relate to each other in the broader history of thought;
3. define his or her own preferred intellectual position, and to be able to apply legal theories to legal practice and positive law;



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24No Description
Tutorial3No Description
Independent Study98No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

- Jurisprudence
Positivism, classical positivism, Bentham and Austin; modern positivism: H.L.A. Hart; Fuller, - Natural law: classical natural law; naturalist revival; Finnis, Aquinas, Dworkin and interpretation; Rawls's theory of justice; introduction to feminist legal theory

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment0% Examination Weight100%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable
Indicative Reading List

    Other Resources

    36838, 0, Set texts: Patterson, A Companion to Philosophy of Law and Legal Theory, Oxford, Blackwell, 1999 Kelly, A Sort History of Western Legal Theory, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1992 Recommended texts: Wacks, Jurisprudence, 2nd edition, London: Blackstone, 1990 Di,
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