Courses & Units
Legal Theory LAW261
Introduction
Legal theory asks students to think about a range of broader questions about law itself. Those questions may relate to the nature of law and what it means to study or practise law, and what professors do when they study law. Other important questions are about how law relates to other ideas like morality, power, judgment and justice, or institutions like parliament, the ‘people’ and government. Still others relate to major schools of legal thought: positivism, natural law, realism and critical legal theory. This unit explores these topics through a range of readings, classroom discussions and written and oral assessment tasks. It aims to give students a deeper appreciation of the complexities of law, its justifications, how it has changed over time, and how it may change into the future. These are invaluable skills for students, practitioners, judges and scholars alike.
Summary
| Unit name | Legal Theory |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LAW261 |
| Credit points | 12.5 |
| College/School | College of Arts, Law and Education Faculty of Law |
| Discipline | Law |
| Coordinator | Doctor Yvette Maker |
| Available as an elective? | Yes |
| Delivered By | University of Tasmania |
Availability
This unit is currently unavailable.
Note
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Learning Outcomes
- Describe, understand and critically reflect upon the key debates about the formation and operation of law
- Describe, understand and critically reflect upon major theories of law
- Critically apply theories of law in analysing legal policy issues in the modern context
- Prepare and present cogent arguments regarding the theoretical basis of law orally and in writing
Fee Information
| Field of Education | Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 | Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 | Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 | Domestic Full Fee 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| not applicable |
1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.
If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.
Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.
Requisites
Prerequisites
50 credit points of Introductory Law coreMutual Exclusions
You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:
LAW453Teaching
| Teaching Pattern | Off campus: Weekly Online Lecture (pre-recorded short video) (1 hour) On campus (Hobart): Weekly Seminar (2 hours) |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Podcast (20%)|Reading Diary (30%)|Critical Writing Task (50%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required |
Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes. |
Links | Booktopia textbook finder |
|---|
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