PL 333 - Philosophy of Law

(3.00 cr.)

Prerequisite: PL 201 and one additional PL 200-level course. An examination of some basic systems of law, including legal positivism, common law, and natural law. Places where these systems come into conflict-for example, the tort law of wrongful birth-are a special focus of this course. By way of a central theme, students are introduced to the kinds and scope of laws governing homicide and how these apply domestically and internationally. The course is historical-covering authors such as Bentham, Blackstone, and de Vitoria-as well as topical. IFS