Legal Theory

Undergraduate | 2026

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Area/Catalogue
LAWS 1081
Course ID icon
Course ID
207329
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
1
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

This course explores jurisprudence, which takes as its focus the philosophy and theory of law. It explores the answers that have been offered to two major questions: what is law, and what ought law to be. The major schools of thought in relation to the nature of law include natural law, analytic jurisprudence, legal positivism, historical jurisprudence, sociological jurisprudence, legal realism, critical legal studies, interpretivism, therapeutic jurisprudence, and general (global) jurisprudence. In relation to what law ought to be (normative jurisprudence), major schools of thought include virtue jurisprudence, deontology, utilitarianism, and the work of John Rawls.

Course learning outcomes

  • Analyse the relationship between law and legal theory, undertake legal research with primary and secondary materials, and evaluate legal information
  • Apply legal theory to contemporary issues, and critique the operation of law from the perspective of ethics and justice
  • Structure and sustain concise and cohesive written and oral arguments for a legal audience
  • Analyse law from a theoretical including issues related to justice, fairness and ethics
  • Develop an original topic of research for sustained reflection
  • Apply critical thinking skills to a range of legal and theoretical issues

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A