There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added

Law and Society is a module which might otherwise be called “Jurisprudence”, and is the study of legal theory. It will be very different from your other modules, as we don’t seek to discuss any one law in detail. Instead, we take step back from statutes and cases, and start thinking about the bigger picture. We start thinking about things in a more abstract way, asking questions such as: 'Why do we have law?', 'Where should the law come from?' and 'Should there be a moral aspect to the law?'We will cover lots of interesting theories, and we will discuss the work of some of the world’s greatest philosophers, and you will use parts of your brain that you probably don’t get to engage in other legal subjects. You might even get to use your imagination a little.

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Analyse a range of jurisprudential writings.

LO2: Compare and contrast various philosophical theories, analysing the strengths and weaknesses of the writings of a variety of jurists.

LO3: Develop the skills of critically reflecting upon the nature, purposes and function of the legal system in HLA Hart's 'The Concept of Law', comparing it with other theories of what amounts to a legal system.

LO4: Demonstrate an integrated knowledge and understanding of the nature of law in its social and cultural context.

LO5: Analyse, explain and apply your critical evaluation to certain topical issues, and the relationship which ought to exist between law and society.

LO6: Demonstrate the ability to research independently, undertaking a complex task within an allotted time