Advanced Topics in Philosophy of Law

Catalog description

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Philosophy challenges students to understand, articulate and evaluate arguments from multiple points of view. Students pursue focused and in-depth study of a specific topic in philosophy of law. The topic changes semester to semester. Recent versions focused on: the meaning and scope of First Amendment rights, the legal protection of privacy, the history of differing conceptions of the rule of law, modern theories of legal positivism and realism and the study of legal ontology, which investigates the ways in which laws and legal institutions exist relative to other social objects. Readings are drawn from historical and/or contemporary jurisprudence as well as case law. Students design and execute independent research projects connected to the theme of the seminar. Contact the department for information about the theme for an upcoming semester. May be taken three times for credit. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor.