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Unit of study_

LAWS3454: Philosophy of Law

2025 unit information

This unit of study will introduce the fundamental notions of jurisprudence understood as a theory about the aims, functions and values of law and legal system. It will aim to provide students with the critical understanding of the central issues in philosophy of law understood as a general, abstract, normative reflection on law as such rather than an examination of a concrete legal system. Nevertheless, the purpose will be to provide students with the conceptual means allowing them to conduct a critical scrutiny of particular legal systems and legal rules with which they are familiar. The course will consider, in particular (1) the notions of legitimacy, validity and authority of law; (2) the idea of rights and the nature of the rights discourse; (3) the justifications and limits of liberty rights; (4) the concept of justice, as applied to law, (5) the sources and limits of our obligation to obey the law, etc.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Sydney Law School

Study level Undergraduate
Academic unit Law
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
? 
None
Corequisites:
? 
None
Prohibitions:
? 
LAWS3459 or LAWS5154
Assumed knowledge:
? 
None

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. create advanced descriptions of the key concepts and ideas that underpin notions of legitimacy, validity, authority of law, rights, and justice.
  • LO2. critically evaluate different approaches to philosophy of law.
  • LO3. critically analyse specific controversial issues regarding philosophy of law.
  • LO4. synthesise concepts and ideas from materials (unit readings, notes, commentary etc.) and critically reflect on the central issues in the philosophy of law (law as general, abstract, and normative rather than concrete).
  • LO5. develop advanced written and oral legal arguments (and philosophical positions) to respond to questions about the law, rights, liberty, proportionality, justice, and equity.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Intensive July - August 2024
Block mode Germany
Semester 2a 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2025
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Intensive August 2025
Block mode Germany
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Intensive July - August 2020
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Semester 2a 2021
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2a 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Intensive July - August 2023
Block mode Germany
Semester 2a 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.

Important enrolment information

Departmental permission requirements

If you see the ‘Departmental Permission’ tag below a session, it means you need faculty or school approval to enrol. This may be because it’s an advanced unit, clinical placement, offshore unit, internship or there are limited places available.

You will be prompted to apply for departmental permission when you select this unit in Sydney Student.

Read our information on departmental permission.