Oct 05, 2024
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25
PHIL 2330 - Introduction to Philosophy of Law
This course examines recent theories about law in the secular and analytic philosophical tradition. It discusses diverse accounts of the history of constitutional government, and the values associated with the rule of law and legally secured fundamental rights. It also explores some of the past century’s most influential academic discussions of the nature of law and its relations to reason, morality, and wise government. The course ends with an examination of philosophical perspectives on human rights.
Requisites: PHIL 1010 or 1200 or 1300 or 2400
Credit Hours: 3
OHIO BRICKS: Arch: Constructed World
Repeat/Retake Information: May be retaken two times excluding withdrawals, but only last course taken counts.
Lecture/Lab Hours: 3.0 lecture
Grades: Eligible Grades: A-F,WP,WF,WN,FN,AU,I
Course Transferability: OTM course: TMAH Arts & Humanities
College Credit Plus: Level 1
Learning Outcomes:
- Students will be able to identify and explain concepts, values, theories, and topics of debate central to the philosophy of law.
- Students will be able to distinguish conceptions of the rule of law and of human rights.
- Students will be able to explain important differences between influential interpretations of the history of constitutional government.
- Students will be able to explain legal positivism (“hard” and “soft”) and distinguish legal philosophies in the “natural law” category.
- Students will be able to connect early works in the philosophy of law with current legal and human rights frameworks.
- Students will be able to identify the contexts in which philosophies of law, both positivistic and anti-positivistic, are influential.
- Students will be able to interpret the arguments of primary texts in the philosophy of law, expressing their consequences and implications clearly and logically.
- Students will be able to distinguish sound and unsound arguments in the philosophy of law.
- Students will be able to clearly express important legal and philosophical ideas in both writing and speech.
- Students will be able to express a specific position with regard to diverse philosophies of law which recognizes the complexities of these concepts.
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