LL225 Half Unit
Critical Theory and Law
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Prof Mike Wilkinson
Availability
This course is available on the BA in Anthropology and Law, Erasmus Reciprocal Programme of Study, Exchange Programme for Students from University of California, Berkeley and LLB in Laws. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course is available with permission to General Course students.
This course is capped. Places will be assigned on a first come first served basis.
Course content
This course examines the state and law from the perspective of critical theory. The nature of critique varies, but central to critical theories are issues of power, and specifically, inequalities of power and how they shape society. Also central are issues of law’s relationship to social and political change. Critical theory diagnoses modern society and offers evaluation of the causes of things, but it also offers various remedies, both reformist and revolutionary in nature. It is therefore explanatory and normative in dual perspective.
The course will tackle classical critical theory rooted in the work of Karl Marx, 20th century critical theory associated with the ‘Frankfurt school’, and more contemporary strands of critical theory, such as those associated with Racial Capitalism, Radical Democracy, and Law and Political Economy. We will also look at theories of the relationship between law and politics and law and democracy, and the current challenges coming from environmental movements and global concerns.
Topics include some or all of the following:
Introduction to Critical Theory
Enlightenment and Critical Theory
Classical Marxism
Contemporary Marxism
Frankfurt School Critical Theory
Critical Legal Studies
Law and Politics
Law and Democracy
Law and Political Economy
Environmentalism
Populism
Eurocentrism
Teaching
20 hours of seminars in the Winter Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.
Formative assessment
1,500 word essay.
Indicative reading
There is not one single text. We will be looking at excerpts from some of the following texts: Karl Marx and Freidrich Engels, The Communist Manifesto (Penguin, 2002), Hannah Arendt, The Human Condition (Penguin 1958), Jurgen Habermas, Towards a Discourse Theory of Law and Democracy (MIT, 1992), Nancy Fraser, Cannibal Capitalism (Verso, 2023), Samir Amin, Eurocentrism (Monthly Review Press, 2010).
Assessment
Exam (100%), duration: 150 Minutes in the Spring exam period
Key facts
Department: LSE Law School
Course Study Period: Winter Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 5
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 60
Average class size 2024/25: 30
Capped 2024/25: Yes(60)Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
For this course, please see the following link/s:
Course Guide Video https://youtu.be/_9QWrTI4yY0
Personal development skills
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Specialist skills