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Philosophy of Law: Hart and his Critics

Vak
2017-2018

Admission requirements

Admission to this specialist course is restricted to students enrolled in the MA Philosophy 120 EC, specialisation Philosophy of Law.

Description

H.L.A. Hart is thought by many to have the greatest legal theorist of the 20th century. His reputation rests largely upon what he accomplished in one book, The Concept of Law, first published in 1961. In this seminar we will explore the doctrines that Hart put forward in that book and other writings, with specific reference to the criticisms. They attracted, some of which attained a celebrity of their own, such as the “Hart-Fuller debate”, the “Hart-Devlin debate”, the “Hart-Dworkin debate”.

Course objectives

This course aims to introduce the student to the work of one of the most important legal theorists of the 20th century, H.L.H. Hart as well as the major debates that he inspired.

Students who successfully complete the course will have a good understanding of:

  • the legal doctrines of Hart, Fuller, Devlin, Dworkin and Raz;

  • the following concepts: legal positivism, natural law, rules, authority, sovereignty of the law, legal interpretation, rule of law.

Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:

  • recognize the (type of) arguments of Hart and his critics;

  • argue independently about these arguments, especially in writing.

Timetable

The timetable is available on the MA Philosophy 120 EC website

Mode of instruction

  • Seminars

Course Load

Total course load: 10 EC x 28 hours = 280 hours

  • Attendance of seminars (13 x 3 hours): 39 hours

  • Time spent on self-study: 100 hours

  • Time spent on weekly assignments: 42 hours

  • Time spent final essay: 83 hours (including research and rewrite).

Assessment method

Assessment

  • Weekly written assignments (30% of the final mark)

  • Final research essay (70% of the final mark)

  • Peer review of final essay (prerequisite for participation in examinations)

Class attendance is mandatory. Students cannot miss more than two seminars. Without sufficient attendance students will be excluded from submitting a final paper or taking the resit.

Weighing

The final mark for the course is established by determination of the weighted average of several subtests. A subtest can be graded as unsatisfactory.

Resit

One resit will be offered, consisting of the final paper. No separate resits will be offered for mid-term or final tests. The mark for the resit replaces any partial result. Any student who did not complete at least 80% of the weekly assignments, cannot take the resit.
Students who have obtained a satisfactory grade for the first examination cannot take the resit.

Exam review

How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.

Blackboard

Blackboard will be used to make available all the readings, assignments and results. However, students are expected to get their own copy of H.L.H. Hart, The concept of Law. Make sure you have the second edition or later.

Reading list

  • Coleman, J. (1982). “Negative and positive positivism.” Journal of Legal Studies 11: 139-164.

  • Devlin, P. A. (1965). The Enforcement of Morals, Oxford University Press.

  • Dworkin, G. (1999). “Devlin was right: Law and the enforcement of morality.” William and Mary Law Review 40(3): 927-946.

  • Dworkin, R. M. (1978). Taking Rights Seriously, Duckworth.

  • Finnis, J. (1980). Natural Law and Natural Rights. Oxford, Clarendon Press.

  • Fuller, L. L. (1958). “Positivism and fidelity to law- a reply to professor Hart.” Harvard Law Review 71(4): 630-672.

  • Hart, H. L. A. (1961). The Concept of Law. Oxford, Oxford University Press.

  • Hart, H. L. A. (1958). “Positivism and the separation of law and morals.” Harvard Law Review 71(4): 593-629.

  • Hart, H. L. A. (1955). “Are there any natural rights?” Philosophical Review 64(2): 175-191.

  • Kramer, M. (1998). “Scrupulousness without scruples: A critique of Lon Fuller and his defenders.” Oxford Journal of Legal Studies 18(2): 235-264.

  • Perry, S. (2001). “Hart’s Methodological Positivism”. In Coleman, J. et al. (eds.). Hart’s Postscipt: essays on the postscript to The Concept of Law. Oxford, Oxford University Press.

  • Raz, J. (1985). “Authority, law and morality.” Monist 68(3): 295-324.

  • Shapiro, Scott. 2011. Legality. Harvard University Press.

  • Simmons, A. J. (1979). Moral Principles and Political Obligations, Princeton University Press.

Please note

All readings will be made available through Blackboard with the exception of H.L.H. Hart The Concept of Law (OUP). The list will be expanded with some additional secondary literature. These too will be made available through Blackboard.

Registration

Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.

Students are strongly advised to register in uSis through the activity number, which can be found in the timetables for courses and exams.

Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs

Not applicable.

Contact

Dr. B.J.E. Verbeek

Remarks

Not applicable.