LL4GB Half Unit
Law and Critical Theory
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Prof Mike Wilkinson
Availability
This course is available on the LLM (extended part-time), LLM (full-time), MSc in Law and Finance and University of Pennsylvania Law School LLM Visiting Students. This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to apply: Priority will be given initially to LLM, MSc Regulation and MSc Law and Finance students on a first-come-first-served allocation.
Spaces permitting, requests from all other students will be processed on the same first-come-first-served allocation from 10am on Thursday 2 October 2025
By submitting an application, students are confirming that they meet any pre-requisites specified. Providing an additional written statement will not aid a student's chances of being accepted onto a course, and statements are not read.
Deadline for application: Not applicable
For queries contact: Law.llm@lse.ac.uk
Course content
In this course we will examine critical theory and its application and relation to law. 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 both explanatory and normative in perspective.
The course will tackle classical critical theory as it has developed since the work of Karl Marx, including 20th century critical theory associated with the ‘Frankfurt school’, and more contemporary strands of critical theory, such as those associated with Black Marxism, Critical Legal Studies, and Law and Political Economy. We will also look at theories of the relationship between law and politics and law and democracy, and current challenges to law and the state 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
• Radical Democracy
• Law and Political Economy
• Environmentalism
Teaching
2 hours of seminars in the Spring Term.
20 hours of seminars in the Winter Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.
Formative assessment
Students will be expected to produce 1 essay.
Indicative reading
- Karl Marx and Friedrich 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 and Spring Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 12
Average class size 2024/25: 12
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse 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:
LL4GB Law and Critical Theory Course guide Video https://youtu.be/X1SV5QhOaUo
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Specialist skills