Philosophy of Law

Catalog description

This course considers the nature of law and the obligations law places on both individuals and society. Students explore concepts like natural law, legal positivism, and legal realism, while contemplating the ways in which each theory might play out in the modern world. The class studies concepts like obligation, rights, fairness, and punishment using specific case studies to answer moral and ethical questions surrounding civil, criminal, and international law. Readings may include Grotius, Aquinas, Mill, Holmes, Hart, and Dworkin, among others.