Undergraduate Module Descriptor

LAW2090: Introduction to Jurisprudence

This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.

Module Aims

This module aims to encourage you to reflect upon the significance moral, political and philosophical ideas have to your doctrinal legal studies. It will introduce you to theories about the nature, purpose and authority of law and develop your powers of analytical and critical thought. Through the lectures, seminars and assessment you will develop techniques of independent and theoretical analysis and will be introduced to methods of study to some extent dissimilar to those of other legal disciplines.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.

On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Demonstrate understanding of theoretical approaches to the nature, purpose and authority of law.
2. Demonstrate good knowledge and understanding of the major schools in legal philosophy, particularly positivism, realism and natural law theory
3. Identify, explain and critically assess/analyse issues arising in the key areas of jurisprudence
4. Deal with complex issues and problems arising in jurisprudence, reach appropriate and reasoned conclusions and offer analysis/criticism of theoretical arguments in these areas
Discipline-Specific Skills5. Integrate and asses information from theoretical sources using appropriate techniques
6. Select, integrate and present coherently and reflectively, relevant theoretical arguments
Personal and Key Skills7. Manage relevant learning resources/information/learning strategies and to develop own arguments and opinions with minimum guidance
8. Communicate and engage in debate effectively and accurately in a manner appropriate to the discipline and context;
9. Work independently, within a limited time frame, with access to external sources, to complete a specified task.