Module Database Search
| MODULE DESCRIPTOR | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title | |||
| Legal Theory | |||
| Reference | LL2162 | Version | 1 |
| Created | January 2022 | SCQF Level | SCQF 9 |
| Approved | June 2017 | SCQF Points | 15 |
| Amended | September 2021 | ECTS Points | 7.5 |
| Aims of Module | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| To enable students to obtain knowledge and understanding of: (A) major twentieth century theories of legal positivism and the contrast between legal positivism and natural law theory; (B) the role of law in society and the nature of law as a social institution; (C) major legal concepts including legal rights and legal obligation; (D) the idea of justice, the idea of unjust law, the moral and ethical basis and context of law. | |||
| Learning Outcomes for Module | |
|---|---|
| On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to: | |
| 1 | Explain, and demonstrate an understanding of, major twentieth century theories of legal positivism and the contrast between legal positivism and natural law theory. |
| 2 | Explain, and demonstrate an understanding of, the role of law in society and the nature of law as a social institution including an understanding of the sociology of law. |
| 3 | Explain, and demonstrate an understanding of, the nature of legal concepts including legal obligation and rights. |
| 4 | Explain, and demonstrate an understanding of, the idea of justice, the idea of unjust law, the moral and ethical basis and context of law. |
| Indicative Module Content |
|---|
| Major twentieth century theories of legal positivism and the contrast between legal positivism and natural law theory; the role of law in society and the nature of law as a social institution; sociology of law; major legal concepts including legal rights, legal obligation and legal powers; the idea of justice and the idea of unjust law |
| Module Delivery |
|---|
| This is a lecture- and tutorial-based module. Lectures provide core module content. Tutorials develop associated higher level skills through student centred learning. |
| Indicative Student Workload | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| Contact Hours | 36 | 36 |
| Non-Contact Hours | 114 | 114 |
| Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours | N/A | N/A |
| TOTAL | 150 | 150 |
| Actual Placement hours for professional, statutory or regulatory body |
| ASSESSMENT PLAN | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| If a major/minor model is used and box is ticked, % weightings below are indicative only. | |||||
| Component 1 | |||||
| Type: | Coursework | Weighting: | 30% | Outcomes Assessed: | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Description: | Written coursework exercise (assessing LOs 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or any combination thereof) | ||||
| Component 2 | |||||
| Type: | Examination | Weighting: | 70% | Outcomes Assessed: | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Description: | Written examination | ||||
| MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explanatory Text | ||||||||
| The calculation of the overall grade for this module is based on 70% weighting of C2 - Examination and 30% weighting of C1 - Coursework. An overall minimum grade D is required to pass the module. | ||||||||
| Coursework: | ||||||||
| Examination: | A | B | C | D | E | F | NS | |
| A | A | A | B | B | B | E | ||
| B | B | B | B | C | C | E | ||
| C | B | C | C | C | D | E | ||
| D | C | C | D | D | D | E | ||
| E | D | D | D | E | E | E | ||
| F | E | E | E | E | F | F | ||
| NS | Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination | |||||||
| Module Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Prerequisites for Module | None. |
| Corequisites for module | None. |
| Precluded Modules | None. |
| INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Raymond Wacks, Understanding Jurisprudence: An Introduction to Legal Theory, 5th edn, 2017, Oxford University Press. |
| 2 | HLA Hart, The Concept of Law, 3rd edn, 2012, Clarendon Law Series, Oxford University Press. |
| 3 | John Finnis, Natural Law and Natural Rights, 2nd edn, 2011, Oxford University Press. |
| 4 | John Rawls, A Theory of Justice, 2005, Harvard University Press. |
| 5 | Hamish Ross, Law as a Social Institution, 2001, Hart Publishing (Bloomsbury Publishing). |