Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Study Course Description

Philosophy of Law

Main Study Course Information

Course Code

JF_028

Branch of Science

Law; Theory and History of Rights

ECTS

3.00

Target Audience

Juridical Science

LQF

Level 6

Study Type And Form

Full-Time; Part-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor

Agnese Beļska

Structure Unit Manager

Ieva Puzo

Structural Unit

Faculty of Social Sciences

Contacts

Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv

About Study Course

Objective

Provide students with insights into basic concepts and challenges of philosophy of law by looking at the works of the thinkers in the ancient world and comparing them to focal issues among the philosophers of law. Including the study of various traditions of the philosophical understanding of law, demonstrating the applicability of philosophy of law in research and analysis of the processes in the modern society. Their place in juridical science and research.

Preliminary Knowledge

Legal Theory, History of Latvian Law, Logic.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Has acquired basic knowledge of the origin, genesis and substance of rights in the context of philosophy.

Individual work and tests

Essay • Individual work

2.Is familiar with basic schools/ doctrines of legal philosophy – natural law school, legal positivism, historical law school, socialist law school, and understands their impact on modern legal thought.

Individual work and tests

Essay • Task 2. “Law schools” • Examination

3.Is familiar with key figures in the philosophy of law from antiquity to the present day.

Individual work and tests

Examination • Essay

4.Is able to characterise basic theories of legal philosophy – social contract theory , theory of separation of powers, command theory, theory of recognition, theory of ideal state, theory of ethatism, theory of convergence, etc.).

Individual work and tests

Examination

5.Understands the issues of rights philosophy (justice, equality, freedom, dignity, duty, responsibility, general good, happiness, etc.).

Individual work and tests

Examination • Task 2. “Law schools” • Essay • Seminar

Skills

1.By critically evaluating information accumulated in the cut of the ages, is able to select the essential and necessary modern legal challenges to solve.

Individual work and tests

Seminar • Task 2. “Law schools”

2.Has acquired the skills to deal with problems sequentially from different angles, understanding the interpretation, objectives, interests of as many legal issues as possible of the parties to the legal relationship.

Individual work and tests

Task 2. “Law schools”

3.Is able to link antiquity to the present day by creating legal relations, including able to explain the prerequisites for the formation of the Latvian legal system.

Individual work and tests

Task 2. “Law schools” • Seminar • Examination

4.Is able to structure the learning process, make inordinate decisions, scientifically justify them by defending their views as members of their profession and elsewhere.

Individual work and tests

Essay

5.Has developed the skills to work not only individually but also in teamwork, where different views and opinions on prevailing processes in society must be confronted.

Individual work and tests

Seminar

Competences

1.At the end of the course, the student will be competent to provide a reasoned opinion on matters relating to the philosophy of law. Will be able to assess the impact of their professional contribution on the philosophy of law as a branch of law.

Individual work and tests

Examination • Seminar • Essay

2.The knowledge acquired by the student in the philosophy of law will be the basis for developing the understanding of the philosophy of law today. Student will be able to independently carry out further compilation of information and analysis thereof, linking it to the direction of the philosophy of law.

Individual work and tests

Essay

Assessment

Individual work

Title	% from total grade	Grade
1. Individual work	-	Test
A small introductory task to be performed before the first lecture prepares the student for the course. The purpose of the task is to enter into the course “philosophy of Law”. The job will be rated as passed or failed. The results are discussed in the first lesson. Fulfilment of a job is a mandatory prerequisite for a student to take an exam.
2. Task 2. “Law schools”	-	Test
The purpose of the second independent work (wedding) is to develop an understanding of the lines of law philosophy – natural law school, rights positivism, socialist law school and historical law school, as well as their interaction with each other. In addition, within the scope of the assignment, students shall examine the direction/concepts of legal philosophy on the resolution of placement situations. The job will be rated as passed or failed. Fulfilment of a job is a mandatory prerequisite for a student to take an exam.

Examination

Title	% from total grade	Grade
1. Essay	30.00% from total grade	10 points
For successful completion of the study course, the student must prepare an essay within the specified time period in which the lecturer’s thesis will have to be defended or rejected. Preparing an essay is a prerequisite for a student to take a final exam. The purpose of the essay is to promote the acquisition of the course while improving and developing the student’s analysis and argumentative skills. As part of the essay, the student is expected to choose a position (to defend or contest the given thesis) and will argue his or her opinion by providing answers to the questions raised. Requirements for essay: 800 – 1000 words, individual (non-artificial intelligence) work to be submitted in written e-studies in the format of an editable document. The essay must use at least two academic sources (textbooks, monographs, scientific papers). References shall be indicated consistently in compliance with RSU requirements. AI tools can only be used for technical support (language enhancement, text structuring).
2. Seminar	20.00% from total grade	10 points
The aim of the seminar is to develop the work of students in the team, the ability to work together on issues related to the problem of legal philosophy. The seminar will include teamwork according to preselected topics. During the seminar, each group should be able to prepare a presentation. Attendance at the seminar is a necessary prerequisite for the student to take the exam.
3. Examination	50.00% from total grade	10 points
A written exam is provided for at the end of the study course. Only those students who have completed permanent work (2 tasks submitted), successfully wrote an essay and passed a seminar will be able to take the exam. These requirements are a necessary prerequisite for the completion of the course and for the completion of the final exam. The purpose of the exam is to examine the student’s work during the course, including work with the literature to be acquired within the course. The exam will raise questions about the topics included in the description of the study course (the range of questions will be available in advance). During the exam, the student may not use additional materials (records, books, digital resources).

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME

Part 1

Lecture

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Introduction to the Philosophy of Law: 1.1. Purpose, concept and tasks. 1.2. Subject and content. 1.3. Place in philosophy and jurisprudence. 1.4. The beginnings of the legal philosophy in Europe.

Description

The concept, purpose and tasks of the philosophy of law. The content of the philosophy of law and understanding of the subject. The place of the philosophy of law amongst other sciences. Development and genesis of the philosophy of law. The problem of separation of the philosophy of law from other subjects. The beginnings of the philosophy of law in Europe. Ancient Greece. Ancient Rome.

Class/Seminar

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Seminar: Topic 1. Theoretical part: Understanding the Philosophy of Law. Practical part: practical work in groups.

Description

Topics covered during the class: What is law and what are rights? Subjective and objective rights? How to distinguish the philosophy of law from legal theory? How to distinguish between law and morality? Development of the concept of human dignity. State (ideal State).

Lecture

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

School of Natural Law: 2.1. Concept and content. 2.2. Ancient Natural law. 2.3. Medieval Natural Law. 2.4. Natural Law in Enlightenment. 2.5. Kant's contribution to the understanding of Natural Law. 2.6. The Decline of Natural Rights. 2.7. Modern Natural Law. 2.8. Natural law and the legal system of Latvia.

Description

Natural Law - concept and content. Understanding natural law in the ancient world. Understanding the concept of State (ideal State) (Plato, Aristotle, Cicero). Medieval natural law. Law and religion. Natural Law and the Enlightenment. Social contract. Understanding justice in natural law. The concept of human dignity. Kant's contribution to the understanding of natural law. Kant's concept of freedom and eternal peace. The principle of hospitality. Categorical imperative. The revival of natural law after the Second World War. Contemporary trends in natural law.

Lecture

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Description

Lecture

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Description

Class/Seminar

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Seminar: Topic 2. Theoretical part: Understanding and issues of Natural Law. Practical part: practical work in groups.

Description

Topics covered during the class: What is natural law? What are natural rights? What are positive (conditional) rights? What is the nature of law? What are the sources of law? What is the natural state? What is the social contract? Why is separation of powers necessary? What is justice? Can the law be unjust? The idea of equality

Lecture

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Historical School of Jurisprudence: 3.1. Place in the philosophy of law. 3.2. Main representatives. 3.3. Directions. 3.4. Significance for the development of legal systems. 3.5. Criticism. 3.6. Hegel's philosophy of law.

Description

Prerequisites of emergence and genesis. Basic idea of historical jurisprudence. The direction of historical thinking in the philosophy of law. Representatives of the historical school of jurisprudence and main directions. Significance of the school in development of the idea of law. Hegel's philosophy of law. The influence of the historical school of jurisprudence on the development of Latvian legal system.

Class/Seminar

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Seminar: Topic 3. Theoretical part: Historical understanding of law. Practical part: practical work in groups.

Description

Topics covered during the class: What is source of law? How does law develop? What is the relationship between customary law and positive law? What is the role of law in human life? Are there constant values? What is the value of rights? How was the Latvian legal system formed? What is the influence of the historical school of law on the development of the Latvian legal system?

Lecture

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Legal Positivism: 4.1. Classical legal positivism and its decline. 4.2. The revival of legal positivism (neo-positivism). 4.3. Criticism.

Description

Prerequisites for the emergence and genesis of legal positivism. Legal positivism as a direction of thinking in the philosophy of law. Classical legal positivism (Austin, Kelzen). Basic norm, hierarchy of normative legal acts. Decline and revival of legal positivism today (neo-positivism). Modern legal positivism (Hart). Sociological and psychological directions in jurisprudence. Philosophy of interests (Jering). Other directions in the philosophy of law.

Lecture

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Legal Positivism: 4.1. Classical legal positivism and its decline. 4.2. The revival of legal positivism (neo-positivism). 4.3. Criticism.

Description

Lecture

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Socialism School of Law: 5.1. Concept and understanding. 5.2. Development. 5.3. Marxism. 5.4. Directions. 5.5. Criticism.

Description

The socialist way of thinking in the philosophy of law. Classical socialism, the prerequisites for its emergence and further influence. Bolshevism socialism. Critique of socialism.

Class/Seminar

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Seminar: Topic 4.-5. Theoretical part: Positive understanding of law. The principle of a socially responsible state. Practical part: practical work in groups.

Description

Topics covered during the class: What is positivism in jurisprudence? Who / what is a sovereign? What gives rights power? What is the Basic Law? What are recognition norms? What are the principles of law? What is an obligation? What makes a law rights? What is the concept of a socially responsible State? Distributive and equalizing justice. Equality.

Lecture

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Theories and issues of the philosophy of law: 6.1. Political positivism. 6.2. Other directions of thinking in the philosophy of law. 6.3. Gnoseology, axiology, ontology of law. 6.4. Legal issues.

Description

Epistemology, axiology and ontology of law. Politics of Rights (Machiavelli). Separation of power (Montesquieu, Locke, Medion). Addressing legislative gaps. The category of justice in law. Equalizing and distributive justice. Right and rights. Category of freedom in law. Category of equality in law. Human dignity. Property. Fine. Common good. State legal mission. Philosophy of Law Course Summary and Key Takeaways.

Lecture

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Theories and issues of the philosophy of law: 6.1. Political positivism. 6.2. Other directions of thinking in the philosophy of law. 6.3. Gnoseology, axiology, ontology of law. 6.4. Legal issues.

Description

Class/Seminar

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Seminar: topic 1-6. Theoretical part: Summary of the course. Practical part: presenting the results of the reports, group work.

Class/Seminar

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Seminar: topic 1-6. Theoretical part: Summary of the course. Practical part: presenting the results of the reports, group work.

Total ECTS (Creditpoints):

3.00

Contact hours:

32 Academic Hours

Final Examination:

Exam (Written)

PART-TIME

Part 1

Lecture

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Introduction to the Philosophy of Law: 1.1. Purpose, concept and tasks. 1.2. Subject and content. 1.3. Place in philosophy and jurisprudence. 1.4. The beginnings of the legal philosophy in Europe.

Description

Theories and issues of the philosophy of law: 6.1. Political positivism. 6.2. Other directions of thinking in the philosophy of law. 6.3. Gnoseology, axiology, ontology of law. 6.4. Legal issues.

Description

Lecture

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Description

Lecture

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Description

Socialism School of Law: 5.1. Concept and understanding. 5.2. Development. 5.3. Marxism. 5.4. Directions. 5.5. Criticism.

Description

The socialist way of thinking in the philosophy of law. Classical socialism, the prerequisites for its emergence and further influence. Bolshevism socialism. Critique of socialism.

Lecture

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Legal Positivism: 4.1. Classical legal positivism and its decline. 4.2. The revival of legal positivism (neo-positivism). 4.3. Criticism.

Description

Class/Seminar

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Seminar: topic 1-6. Theoretical part: Summary of the course. Practical part: presenting the results of the reports, group work.

Total ECTS (Creditpoints):

3.00

Contact hours:

10 Academic Hours

Final Examination:

Exam (Written)

Bibliography

Required Reading

Broks J. Tiesību filosofija. –Rīga: Biznesa augstskola Turība, 2004.

Horns N. Ievads tiesību zinātnē un tiesību filozofijā // Likums un tiesības. – 1999. Nr.1.-4.;2000. Nr.1.-8.

Lejiņš P., Šulcs L. Tiesību filozofija. Rīga, 1938

Neimanis J. Ievads tiesībās. Rīga: Ratio iuris, 2005

Additional Reading

Aristotelis. Nikomaha ētika. Pagātnes domātāju darbi. –Rīga: Zvaigzne, 1985

Bandēns G. Leģisms – senās Ķīnas valsts pārvaldes doktrīnas //Vispārīgās tiesību teorijas un valsts zinātnes atziņas. – Rīga: LU, 1997

Bēkons F. Jaunais orgānus. Pagātnes domātāju darbi. – Rīga: Zvaigzne, 1989

Boazs D. Pasaules filozofiskā doma labklājības meklējumos. – Rīga: Biznesa augstskola Turība, 2006..

Cipeliuss R. Tiesību būtība. Juridiskai izglītībai un praksei. – Rīga: Latvijas Universitāte, 2001.

Dāle P. Imanuels Kants. – Rīga: Valters un Rapa. 1936.

Dišlers K. Latvijas valsts varas orgāni un viņu funkcijas. – Rīga: Tiesu namu aģentūra, 2004

Domas par antīko filozofiju. – Rīga: Avots, 1990.

Freibahs L. Kristietības būtība. Nākotnes filozofijas pamati. Pagātnes domātāju darbi. 2.papildizdevums. – Rīga: Zvaigzne, 1991

10.

Fihte J.G. Cilvēka būtība. Par cilvēka lielumu. Pagātnes domātāju darbi. – Rīga: Zvaigzne, 1989

11.

Fuko M. Uzraudzīt un sodīt. – Rīga: Omnia mea, 2001.

12.

Kants I. Prolegomeni. Pagātnes domātāju darbi. – Rīga: Zvaigzne, 1990

13.

Krastiņš I. Tiesību Doktrīnas. – Rīga: LU, 1996

14.

Lazdiņš, J. Vēsturiskā tiesību skola un Latvija. Latvijas Universitātes raksti, 2006. Nr.703, 21.-43.lpp.

15.

Kūle M., Kūlis R. Filosofija. – Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 1998.

16.

Levits E. Par līdztiesību likuma un tiesas priekšā, un diskriminācijas aizliegumu. Par Satversmes 91.pantu.

17.

Makjavelli N. Valdnieks. – Rīga: Tapals, 2007

18.

Meļķisis E. Attīstības tendences dažādos tiesību teorijas un prakses jautājumos. – Rīga: Latvijas Universitāte, 2000.

19.

Osipova S. Musulmaņu tiesību vēsture viduslaikos. – Rīga: LU, 2001

20.

Osipova S. Tiesību socioloģija kā juridiskā zinātne un tās ģenēze. // Juridiskā zinātne. Latvijas Universitātes raksti Nr.703. Rīga: LU, 2006

21.

Platons. Valsts. - Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2001;

22.

Razs Dž. Brīvības morāle. – Rīga: Sorosa fonds Latvija, 2001

23.

Šarls Luijs de Monteksjē, Persiešu vēstules. Pagātnes domātāju darbi. – Rīga: Zvagzne, 1990

24.

Šulcs L. Tiesību idejas un dabisko tiesību problēmas Kanta tiesību teorijā. – Rīga: Valters un Rapa, 1939

25.

Šulcs L. Dabisko tiesību evolūcija. Tiesību ministrijas vēstnesis. – Nr.5/6, 1934

26.

Šulcs, L. Tiesību idejas un dabisko tiesību problēmas Kanta tiesību teorijā. – Rīga: Valters un Rapa, 1939.

27.

Vedins I. Likuma ontoloģija. // Raksti Nr.8 – Rīga: Policijas akadēmija, 2001

28.

Ziemele, I. Starptautiskās tiesības un cilvēktiesības Latvijā: abstrakcija vai realitāte. – Rīga: Tiesu namu aģentūra, 2005.

29.

Ackermann B.A. Social Justice in the Liberal State. – London: Yale University press, 1980

30.

Adams D.M. Philosophical problems in the Law; 3rd edition. – Canada: Wadsworth, 1999

31.

Dworkin R. Taking Rights Seriously. –London: Duckworth, 1978

32.

Eisenberg M.A. The Nature of the common law. – England: [b.v.], 1998

33.

Feinberg J. Philosophy of Law. 6th ed. – Wadsworth: [b.i.],2000

34.

Frederik G. Kempin, Jr.Historical Introduction to Anglo – American Law. – St.Paul: Back’s Law dictionary, - 1998

35.

Professional Responsibility and regulation. Deborah L. Rhode, Geoffrey C. Hazard, Foundation Press, NY, 2002

36.

Shaklee I. N. Law and Politics//legism. - Cambridge: Hardvard University Press, 1986

37.

Zippelius R. . Rechtsphilosophie. 4.Auflag.Munchen: Verlag C.H.Beck, 2003

Other Information Sources

Cilvēktiesību un pamatbrīvību aizsardzības konvencija

Neimane I. Īpašuma tiesības kā cilvēka pamattiesības // portāls politika.lv, 09.05.2005.

What are human rights?

Ierosinātās un izskatītās Satversmes tiesas lietas.

Augstākās Tiesas mājaslapa.

Philosophy of Law

Main Study Course Information

Study Course Implementer

About Study Course

Objective

Preliminary Knowledge

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

Skills

Competences

Assessment

Individual work

Examination

Study Course Theme Plan

Lecture

Topics

Class/Seminar

Topics

Lecture

Topics

Lecture

Topics

Lecture

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Class/Seminar

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Class/Seminar

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Lecture

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Lecture

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Lecture

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Lecture

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Class/Seminar

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Bibliography

Required Reading

Additional Reading

Other Information Sources