Introduction to Philosophy of Law

Philosophy of Law: An Introduction

 

 

Instructor

Dr. Pao-Shen Ho

Course Description

This course on philosophy of law deals with the basic questions and concepts of jurisprudence, such as the nature, rule and limits of law, legal reasoning and criminal responsibility. In addition, we will also look into concrete issues in criminal and international law, as well as several case studies.

Teaching Method

Lecture and discussion

Evaluations

Mid-term exam: 30%

Final exam: 30%

Participation/ discussion: 20%

Attendance: 20%

Textbook and reading materials

Brand, J. (2014). Philosophy of Law: Introducing Jurisprudence. London: Bloomsbury.

Tebbit, M. (2005). Philosophy of Law: an Introduction, 2nd Edition. Abingdon: Routledge.

 

Course Schedule:

Unit 1: Aspects of Law and Legal Systems

l  Week 1

1.        Theories of law; distinction between law and morality.

2.        Text: Brand (2014), Chap. 1, sec.1-5; Tebbit (2005), Chap. 3-4.

l  Week 2

1.        The authority and rule of law.

2.        Text: Brand (2014), Chap. 1, sec.6-10; Tebbit (2005), Chap.1.

 

Unit 2: Courts and Legal Reasoning

l  Week 3

1.        Legal realism; sources of law; indeterminacy and rule-skepticism.

2.        Text: Brand (2014), Chap. 2, sec.1-5; Tebbit (2005), Chap.2.

l  Week 4

1.        Indeterminacy and rule-skepticism; right answers, precedent.

2.        Text: Brand (2014), Chap. 2, sec.6-9; Tebbit (2005), Chap.7.

 

Unit 3: Making, Justifying, and Evaluating Law

l  Week 5

1.        Normativity of law.

2.        Text: Brand (2014), Chap. 3, sec.1-2.

l  Week 6

1.        Moral evaluation of the criminal law; case study.

2.        Text: Brand (2014), Chap. 3, sec.3; Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health, 497 U.S. 261 (1990).

l  Week 7

1.        Punishing omission; case study.

2.        Text: Brand (2014), Chap. 3, sec.4.

 

Unit 4: Law and Individual Obligation

l  Week 8

1.        The duty to obey.

2.        Text: Brand (2014), Chap. 4, sec.1; John Rawls, A Theory of Justice, secs 52–3; Tebbit (2005), Chap.6.

l  Week 9

1.        Civil disobedience.

2.        Text: Brand (2014), Chap. 4, sec.2; Kimberly Brownlee, Conscience and Conviction: The Case for Civil Disobedience, Introduction.

 

Mid-term examination

l  Week 10

 

Unit 5: Criminal Law

l  Week 11

1.        Elements, conduct and mens rea.

2.        Text: Brand (2014), Chap. 6, sec.1-3.

l  Week 12

1.        Justification, excuse and inchoate offenses

2.        Text: Brand (2014), Chap. 6, sec.4-6.

 

Unit 6: Sentencing and Punishment

l  Week 13

1.        Basic concepts; types of sentence.

2.        Text: Brand (2014), Chap. 7, sec.1-3; Jeremy Bentham, The Principles of Morals and Legislation, ch. 13. 

l  Week 14

1.        Reasons to sentence; hybrid theory.

2.        Text: Brand (2014), Chap. 7, sec.4-5; Tebbit (2005), Chap.10.

l  Week 15

1.        Theories of retribution; capital punishment.

2.        Text: Brand (2014), Chap. 7, sec.6-8; Tebbit (2005), Chap.12; Stephen Nathanson, An Eye for an Eye?, ch. 1.

l  Week 16

1.        Case studies.

2.        Text: Furman v. Georgia, 408 U.S. 238 (1972); Gregg v. Georgia, 428 U.S. 153 (1976); McCleskey v. Kemp, 481 U.S. 279 (1987)

 

Unit 7: International Law

l  Week 17

1.        Analytic and normative issues; relativism.

2.        Text: Brand (2014), Chap. 10, sec.1-4.

l  Week 18

1.        Human rights; distributive justice; secession and self-determination.

2.        Text: Brand (2014), Chap. 10, sec.5-7.