LAW3032 : Legal Theory
- Offered for Year: 2022/23
- Module Leader(s): Professor Richard Mullender
- Lecturer: Dr Joshua Jowitt, Dr Emilia Mickiewicz
- Owning School: Newcastle Law School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
To provide an understanding of the leading schools of legal theory, and to appreciate their understanding within wider intellectual movements. To develop the particular theoretical, critical and interdisciplinary skills that are appropriate to legal study. To develop the various skills listed below. To encourage students to contemplate post-graduate work in this field. This aim reflects the fact that, over many years, students taking this course have gone on to study legal theory as post-graduates.
Outline Of Syllabus
Introduction to Legal Theory.
Natural Law (the Classical Tradition and Procedural Natural Law)
Legal Positivism
American Legal Realism
Ronald Dworkin
Alan Gewirth’s Contribution to Secular Natural Law and its Practical Applications
Law, Power, and Political Philosophy (examining John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Carl Schmitt, and Michel Foucault)
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 22 | 1:00 | 22:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 67 | 1:00 | 67:00 | N/A |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Two recorded lectures and accompanying lecture material (text) published on Canvas |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Q&A on Zoom. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 100:00 | 100:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The use of lecturing as the principle teaching method is justified in terms of providing an overarching narrative coherence to the course. It is necessary in order to secure the requisite knowledge base needed in order to underpin stated learning outcomes. Seminars are used in order to effect the development of a critical and contextual understanding of the various theories of law covered in the lectures. Private study is directed so as to supplement the development of seminar skill, to confirm the establishment of the basic knowledge base, and to concentrate research skills in particular areas of individual study.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 2 | M | 100 | 3000 words |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
A research-based essay assignment is the most appropriate means by which to assess the development skills (in the areas of analysis, argument, research), whilst also making it possible for students to demonstrate the development of necessary subject-specific knowledge bases.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- LAW3032's Timetable