LL306 Half Unit
Theories of 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, BSc in Philosophy and Economics, BSc in Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method, BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with a Year Abroad), BSc in Politics and Philosophy, 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 freely available to General Course students. It does not require permission.
This course is capped. Places will be assigned on a first come first served basis.
Course content
The aims of the course are: To introduce students to philosophical thinking about the law. To familiarise students with the main methodological, conceptual, and normative issues in the study of law and the rule of law. To provide students with knowledge of some of the most influential legal philosophers and their theories of law. To encourage and enable students to think about doctrinal legal questions from a philosophical and critical perspective. To help students to develop legal reasoning skills by training them in abstract, philosophical arguments. Some of the themes that the course covers are: legal realism, natural law; legal positivism; the rule of law and legality; the use and significance of principles in adjudication and legal reasoning, methodology in jurisprudence.
Teaching
20 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the Winter Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.
Formative assessment
Essay
Students will be expected to write at least one essay.
Indicative reading
Students are provided with outlines and readings for specific topics. For some introductory and background reading see: S. Veitch, E. Christodoulidis, and M. Goldoni, Jurisprudence: Themes and Concepts (3rd. ed), Routledge 2018; J.E. Penner and E. Melissaris, McCoubrey & White's Textbook on Jurisprudence, OUP 2012; Brian Bix, Jurisprudence: Theory and Context (3rd ed.), Thomson Sweet & Maxwell 2003.
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 6
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 117
Average class size 2024/25: 15
Capped 2024/25: Yes(150)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/x_v5qM8eBkI
Personal development skills
- Communication
- Specialist skills