Legal Philosophy - Bachelor

Lågaregradsemne

Emnebeskrivelse

Mål og innhald

The course gives an introduction to international legal philosophy. The course provides knowledge about and gives insight into select perspectives in legal philosophy on the character and objectives of law as a functioning element of a modern democratic society founded on the rule of law. It also gives knowledge about and insight into select debates concerning the character and role of legal argumentation.

Læringsutbyte

Knowledge

After successful completion of this course, students will have:

  • Broad knowledge of key debates in international legal philosophy, including about the rule of law.
  • Familiarity with critical perspectives on law, the methodology of legal philosophy, and with debates about the role of precedents and reason-giving in legal argumentation

Skills and general competence

Students will also have developed certain skills and general competence, including:

  • The ability to distinguish and discuss central positions in legal philosophy, and to use such sources to present arguments in the course
  • compare and evaluate differences between central positions in international discourse of legal philosophy
  • identify, discuss and state opinions about the character and role of legal argumentation in a modern democratic society based on the rule of law.
  • use such competence and skills both orally and in writing
  • refer correctly in writing
  • cooperate with law students from other countries, and gain perspectives on common legal challenges from students from a legal background different than their own,
  • contribute with perspectives from their own country and legal background
  • present and evaluate legal analyses and points of view in English, both orally and in writing

Studiepoeng, omfang

10 ECTS

Studienivå (studiesyklus)

Bachelor level

Undervisningssemester

Spring

Undervisningsstad

Faculty of Law, University of Bergen
Krav til forkunnskapar
Two years of law studies
Tilrådde forkunnskapar
Good level of English language
Studiepoengsreduksjon

Combined with Legal Philosophy JUS273-2-A or JUS3512 Legal Philosophy this course will generate no new credits.

The course combines well with any of the elective courses offered at the Faculty of Law, but in particular with:

Krav til studierett

The course is available for students:

  • admitted to the five-year master programme in law
  • exchange students at the Faculty of Law

The pre-requirements may still limit certain students' access to the course.

Arbeids- og undervisningsformer
Discussion-based lectures/seminars
Obligatorisk undervisningsaktivitet

Compulsory attendance at lectures/seminars.

Each student must give a short presentation in a lecture/seminar.

Mandatory paper of maximum 1500 words (excluding footnotes), of a topic announced during the course. The paper will be awarded a pass/no pass. No grade will be given. Students who have failed the paper will be given an opportunity to write a new paper prior to the exam.

Vurderingsformer

3-hour digital school exam.

Students who do not pass the examination may re-sit in the following semester if the mandatory assignment or activity has been approved and when the examination result is due to

- legitimate reason for non-attendance (see Section 3-7, paragraph 3 b in the Supplementary Regulations)

- failed result

For rules regarding voluntary re-sit, see Section 3-5.

Karakterskala
A-E for passed, F for fail
Vurderingssemester
Spring
Litteraturliste
The reading list will be ready 1 December for the spring semester.
Emneevaluering
According to the administrative arrangements for course evaluation at the Faculty of Law
Hjelpemiddel til eksamen

Students may bring their own copy of a bilingual dictionary to/from English and any other language, in one or two volumes.

For further info see section 3-9 of the Supplementary Regulations for Studies at the Faculty of Law at the University of Bergen.

Programansvarleg
The Academic Affairs Committee (Studieutvalget) at the Faculty of Law is responsible for ensuring the material content, structure and quality of the course.
Emneansvarleg
Professor Synne Sæther Mæhle
Administrativt ansvarleg
The Faculty of Law's section for students and academic affairs (Studieseksjonen) is responsible for administering the programme.