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The course involves a study of various modern theories about law from both a descriptive and critical perspective.
The course will begin with an introduction to the classical natural law approach to law. It will then consider various attempts since the Renaissance and Reformation to provide other bases for law and legal and political authority. This will include study of Hobbes and Kant, utilitarianism and legal positivism, the historical and economic schools, modern Anglo-American approaches and the theory of anarchy.
The aim of the course is to enable students to critically evaluate the role of law in society and to contemplate alternative legal constructions.
(i) LAWS101; and (ii) LAWS110
LAWS302
LAWS202-LAWS206
David Round
Assessment may consist of an essay and a final exam. The assessment will be confimred in the first week of lectures.
Dias, Reginald Walter Michael; Jurisprudence ; 5th ed; Butterworths, 1985.
Kelly, J. M; A short history of Western legal theory ; Clarendon Press ;Oxford University Press, 1992.
Passerin d'Entreves, Alessandro; Natural law : an introduction to legal philosophy ; [2d rev. ed.]; Hutchinson University Library, 1970.
There is no set text. Useful recommended reading includes the above.
Domestic fee $775.00
International fee $3,525.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Faculty of Law .