Legal Philosophy

Language of Instruction

English

Pre-requirements

None

Learning Outcomes

Based on the course the student should be able to

- discuss central positions in international discourse of legal philosophy and relate the authors whose texts are the basis of the course to each other.

- distinguish and compare the differences between dominant positions in international discourse of legal philosophy

- analyse and evaluate the foundations of these dominant positions.

- identify, discuss and state opinions about central questions in current international discourse, such as the question of the character and role of adjudication in a modern democratic society based on the rule of law.

Contact Information

Course teacher: Professor Jan Fridthjof Bernt

Administrative contact: Higher Executive Officer Nathalie S. L. Gaulier: Nathalie.Gaulier@jurfa.uib.no

Course offered (semester)

Spring

Combines successfully with JUS273-2-B, JUS273-2-C.

Language of Instruction

English

Aim and Content

The course gives an introduction to international legal philosophy. The course provides basic knowledge about some of the most dominant positions such as legal positivism and legal realism. It also gives an insight into current international discourse about the character and objectives of law as a functioning element of a modern democratic society founded on the rule of law. Different views on adjudication are discussed throughout the whole course.

Learning Outcomes

Based on the course the student should be able to

- discuss central positions in international discourse of legal philosophy and relate the authors whose texts are the basis of the course to each other.

- distinguish and compare the differences between dominant positions in international discourse of legal philosophy

- analyse and evaluate the foundations of these dominant positions.

- identify, discuss and state opinions about central questions in current international discourse, such as the question of the character and role of adjudication in a modern democratic society based on the rule of law.

Pre-requirements

None

Recommended previous knowledge

Good written and spoken English.

Subject Overlap

Combined with JUS354 this course generates no new credits.

Teaching Methods

Lectures.

Compulsory Requirements

A paper must be approved before exam.

Assessment methods

Exams are held in teaching semesters only. A mandatory paper must be submitted and approved in the teaching semester before taking the final exam. For students who attended classes in the teaching semester, but who due to illness, pregnancy or other special circumstances were unable to submit the mandatory paper and sit the exam, the faculty may on application accept submission of mandatory paper and hold an exam the following semester. Students who completed the exam in the teaching semester, but did not achieve a pass grade, or who due to illness, pregnancy or other special circumstances were unable to sit the exam, are entitled to (re-)sit the exam the following semester.

Four hours school exam. A - E for passed, F for failed.

Exam language:

• Question paper: English
• Answer paper: English

Support materials allowed during exam:

See section 3-5 of the Supplementary Regulations for Studies at the Faculty of Law at the University of Bergen.

Special regulations about dictionaries:

• According to the Regulations for Studies, one dictionary is permitted support material during the examination. Bilingual dictionaries containing for example both Norwegian-English and English-Norwegian are considered as one dictionary.
• Bilingual dictionaries to/from the same two languages - for example Norwegian-English/English-Norwegian - in two different volumes are also considered as one dictionary (irrespective of publisher or edition).
• Dictionaries as described above cannot be combined with any other types of dictionaries.
• Any kind of combination which makes up more than two physical volumes is forbidden.
• In case a student has a special need for any other combination than the above mentioned, such combination has to be clarified with/approved by the course coordinator minimum two weeks before the exam. Students who have not been granted permission to have a special combination minimum two weeks before the exam will be subject to the usual regulations (Section 3-5) about examination support materials.

Course Unit Evaluation

According to administrative arrangements for evaluating courses at the Law Faculty

Contact Information

Course teacher: Professor Jan Fridthjof Bernt

Administrative contact: Higher Executive Officer Nathalie S. L. Gaulier: Nathalie.Gaulier@jurfa.uib.no