PHIL - 270. Philosophy of Law

3 credit(s)
This course examines the concept of human-made law and the standards by which we judge laws to be good or bad laws. Students will learn to examine and critically evaluate different accounts of the nature of law (e.g., natural law theories, legal realism, and legal positivism). They will also study and critically evaluate various proposed purposes of criminal punishment and the justice system (e.g., deterrence, retribution, restitution, rehabilitation and restoration). Other topics the course will cover might include the relationship between law and morality, the nature of rights, the rule of law and constitutional government, judicial review and interpretation, the nature of legal evidence, and the foundations of civil law. These topics shall be discussed in the context of historical events and applied to contemporary controversies.

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 101 or PHIL 103.
Attribute: ARTS, CAP, JMN, CFJ, STVP