Legal Studies (LGST) 482
Jurisprudence (Revision 1)
Revision 1 is closed for registrations, see current revision
Delivery Mode: Individualized study online
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Humanities
Prerequisite: None. But upper level undergraduate work in philosophy and/or legal studies is strongly recommended.
Precluded course: LGST 482 is a cross-listed course—a course listed under 2 different disciplines—PHIL 482. (LGST 482 cannot be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained for PHIL 482.)
Faculty: Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
LGST 482 is not available for challenge.
Questions about this course? Contact the course professor: Dale Dewhurst.
Overview
LGST 482: Jurisprudence. An examination of fundamental philosophy of law principles underlying the Canadian (common law) legal system, related traditional objections and contemporary critical theories: feminist, Aboriginal and other. Topics include developing a critical philosophical approach; defining law; morality v. law; theories of liberty, autonomy, rights, justice and equality; culture, nationalism and colonialism; the rule of law and civil disobedience; and the impact of formal adjudication v. alternative dispute resolution.
Outline
- Unit 1: The Nature of Jurisprudence
- Unit 2: Differences between Morality and Law
Part I: Defining Law
Part II: Distinguishing Law and Morality
Part III: Four Main Approaches to Law - Unit 3: Theories of Liberty and Autonomy
- Unit 4: Theories of Rights and Justice
- Unit 5: Law and Equality
- Unit 6: Culture versus Law, Nationalism and Colonialism
- Unit 7: The Rule of Law and Civil Disobedience
Part I: The Rule of Law
Part II: Civil Disobedience - Unit 8: Adjudication versus Mediation
- Unit 9: Conclusion
Evaluation
To receive credit for LGST 482, you must complete all of the assignments, and obtain a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent). The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Credit Weight |
|---|---|
| Assignment 1: Written answers to one Study Question from each of Units 1–4. | 15% |
| Assignment 2: Outline and short essay; the topic must be chosen from subjects in Units 1–5 | 20% |
| Assignment 3: Written answers to one Study Question from each of Units 5–8 | 15% |
| Assignment 4: A précis (a plan for the Assignment 5 long essay). | 10% |
| Assignment 5: A long essay; the essay topic can be chosen from subjects in Units 1–8. | 40% |
| Total: | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbook
Freedman, M.D.A. 2014. Lloyd’s Introduction to Jurisprudence (9th ed.). London: Sweet & Maxwell.
Other Materials
The course materials include an electronic version of the Study Guide and Student Manual (available in the Moodle course site) and a book of readings.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 1, July 28, 2009.