Module PHL2061 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
PHL2061: Philosophy of Law
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
We begin by examining the classic debate between legal positivists and natural law theorists, focussing on the work of figures such as H.L.A. Hart, Ronald Dworkin, Joseph Raz, John Finnis, and Lon Fuller.
Building on this, we survey the main theories of legal reasoning, judicial interpretation, and the evidential character of precedent, particularly in light of Ludwig Wittgenstein’s celebrated analysis of rule-following.
Finally, we investigate the enduring debate over the justification of state punishment, focussing on key retributivist, consequentialist, and abolitionist arguments.
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 11 | Eleven one-hour lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 11 | Eleven one-hour tutorials |
| Guided Independent Study | 40 | Assigned readings associated with each tutorial |
| Guided Independent Study | 88 | Preparation of Assigned Essays |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class discussion | 1 hr per week in seminars | 1-6 | Oral |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | 50 | 2,000 words | 1-6 | Written |
| Essay 2 | 50 | 2,000 words | 1-6 | Written |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | Essay (2,000 words) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
| Essay 2 | Essay (2,000 words) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
