This subject provides a philosophical introduction to the nature of law and the legal system, including the relationship of law to justice and morality. It introduces students to significant philosophical theorists including Austin, Bentham, Dworkin, Grotius, Hart, Kant, Kelsen, Marx and Rawls. Students study legal reasoning, the relationship between morality and law, what gives rules authority, the role of the judge, and the social and economic nature of law. This subject also explores the nature of rights and their relationship to law, ethics and morality, together with the philosophical foundations guiding judicial decision-making and legal interpretivism.
HD/FL
One session
Centre for Law and Justice
Restricted to Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminal Justice students only
All 100 and 200 level core subjects in the Bachelor of Laws.
The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of LAW318 in Session 2 2019. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).
The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2021. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.