Overview
LGST 482: Jurisprudence is an examination of fundamental philosophy of law principles underlying the Canadian (common law) legal system, along with related traditional objections and contemporary critical theories: feminist, Aboriginal and other. Topics include developing a critical philosophical approach; defining law; morality versus 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 versus alternative dispute resolution.
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 | 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.
Materials
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course’s start date:
Freedman, M.D.A. (2014). Lloyd’s Introduction to Jurisprudence (9th ed.). London: Sweet & Maxwell.
Other Materials
All other course materials are available online.