Identifying Data 2019/20
Subject (*) Philosophy of Law Code 612G01026
Study programme
Grao en Dereito
Descriptors Cycle Period Year Type Credits
Graduate 2nd four-month period
 Third Obligatory 6
Language
Spanish
English
Teaching method Face-to-face
Prerequisites
Department Dereito Privado
Dereito Público
Coordinador
Serna Bermudez, Pedro
 E-mail
pedro.serna@udc.es
Lecturers
Ballesteros Soriano, Alfonso
Rivas Pala, Pedro
Seoane Rodriguez, Jose Antonio
Serna Bermudez, Pedro
 E-mail
alfonso.ballesteros@udc.es
pedro.rivas@udc.es
jose.antonio.seoane@udc.es
pedro.serna@udc.es
Web
General description A materia tenta proporcionar unha comprensión global dos fundamentos históricos, políticos e científicos da paradigma dominante no pensamento xurídico contemporáneo, así como unha comprensión máis profunda do fundamento dalgunhas nocións, institucións, procesos e estruturas centrais estudados ao longo da carreira, unificando e sintetizando eses coñecementos; neste sentido, aspira a efectuar un traballo de síntese e de profundización, tanto histórica como conceptual. Ademais, preténdese introducir aos estudantes no coñecemento e a comprensión das transformacións que afectan ao dereito actual e que obrigan a revisar a paradigma dominante constituído polo positivismo xurídico, e introducirlles nas liñas básicas dunha filosofía xurídica aceptable para o momento presente.

Study programme competencies
Code Study programme competences
A2 Knowledge of the role of law as a regulatory system of social relations
A3 Grasping the systematic nature of the legal system
A4 Appreciating the interdisciplinary nature of legal problems
A5 Knowing the constitutional principles and values.
A6 Understanding the different manifestations of law in its historical evolution and in its current reality.
A8 Basic knowledge of legal argumentation.
A10 Ability to interpret and critically assess the legal system.
A11 Ability to understand and write legal documents.
A12 Management of legal oratory (ability to express themselves properly in public).
A14 Ability to draft legal norms.
B1 Knowledge in an area of study that is based on general secondary education, and is usually found at a level that, although supported by advanced textbooks, includes also some aspects that involve knowledge from the forefront of his field of study.
B2 Ability to know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and possess the skills that are usually demonstrated through the elaboration and defense of arguments and the resolution of problems within their area of study.
B3 Ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their area of study) to make judgments that include a reflection on social, scientific or ethical relevant issues.
B5 Acquisition and assessment of those learning skills necessary to undertake further studies with a high degree of autonomy
B6 Learning to learn.
B8 Critical, logical, and creative thinking.
B9 Working autonomously on own initiative with a lifelong learning approach.
B11 Ethical and social responsibility.
C1 Adequate oral and written expression in the official languages.
C4 Exercising an open, educated, critical, committed, democratic and supportive citizenship for the sake of the common good.
C6 Critically assess the knowledge, technology and information available to solve the problems they face.
C7 Assume as a professional and citizen the importance of lifelong learning.
C8 Valuing the importance of research, innovation and technological development for the socioeconomic and cultural progress of society.

Learning aims
Learning outcomes Study programme competences
Achieving a global vision on modern law and on the radical changes of contemporary legal systems. A2
A3
A4
A6
A10
A12
 B9
B1
B2
B3
B5
 C4
C6
C7
Developing conceptual and hermeneutical tools for an independent approach to the common understanding of law. A2
A5
A6
A8
A11
A14
 B6
B8
B11
B1
B2
B3
 C4
C6
C8
Developing legal argumentation in a critical and creative manner. A4
A8
A10
A11
A12
 B8
 C1
C4
C6
Knowing current debates on justice and developing a deep personal perspective on them. A2
A4
A6
A8
A10
A12
 B6
B8
B11
B2
 C1
C4
C6
C7
C8

Contents
Topic Sub-topic
1. Philosophy of Law as Understanding and Critique of Contemporary Law 1. Thinking of law. Methodological approach.
2. The dominant legal thought. Legal positivism.
2. Legal Positivism and Legal Modernity 1. Th. Hobbes: the origins of Legal Positivism.
2. Codification. Code Napoleon.
3. J. Bentham.
4. Thibaut and Savigny: Romanticism or Historicism?
5. J. Austin’s Analytical Jurisprudence.
6. Legal Positivism and Exegesis School.
7. XIXth Century’s Jurisprudence of Concepts and Jurisprudence of Interests.
8. H. Kelsen’s Pure Theory of Law.
3. Interpretation and Adjudication. Critical Assessment 1. Legal positivism in action. Interpretation and adjudication.
2. Scientificism as an ideology and the valorative character of legal science.
4. Western Legal System’s since 1945. Constitutionalization and Globalization 1. Constitutionalization and Neo-constitutionalism: beyond formalism.
2. Globalization: beyond the State.
5. Overcoming Legal Positivism 1. Theories of argumentation.
2. Critical theories.
3. Inclusive legal positivism.
6. Reframing Philosophy of Law for the XXIst Century 1. Hermeneutics.
2. Ontology.
3. Justice.
7. Justice and Rights 1. Doing the right thing.
2. The great happiness principle. Utilitarianism.
3. Do we own ourselves? Libertarianism.
4. Hired help. Markets and morals.
5. What matters is the motive. Immanuel Kant.
6. The case for equality. John Rawls.
7. Arguing affirmative action.
8. Who deserves what? Aristotle.
9. What do we owe one another? Dilemmas of loyalty.
10. Justice and the common good.

Planning
Methodologies / tests Competencies Ordinary class hours Student’s personal work hours Total hours
Guest lecture / keynote speech A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 B6 B3 C4 C6 40 42 82
Workbook A2 A4 A5 A6 A10 B8 B1 B2 B5 C7 0 15 15
Seminar A3 A4 A5 A8 A10 A11 A12 A14 B8 B11 B2 B3 B5 C1 C4 C8 15 18 33
Mixed objective/subjective test A2 A3 A5 A6 A8 A10 B8 B9 B2 B3 C1 C6 3 9 12
 
Personalized attention 8 0 8
 
(*)The information in the planning table is for guidance only and does not take into account the heterogeneity of the students.

Methodologies
Methodologies Description
Guest lecture / keynote speech The contents will be explained through lectures. (Methodology related with this capacities: A4, A6, A8 y A14).
Workbook Readings are essential in order to develop a critical thought through classic and contemporary works. (Activity related with capacities: A4, A6, A10, B1, B3, B4 y C6).
Seminar Philosophy is best learned through active conversation with others.
It is therefore important that you be a regular participant in classroom discussions. (Methodology related with this capacities: A4, A5, A8, A10, B3, B6, C1, C4 y C6).
Mixed objective/subjective test The exam will consist of questions about the lecture-style classes, including reading related with the different topics.
(Activity related with capacities: B1, B3, C1 y C6).

Personalized attention
Methodologies
Guest lecture / keynote speech
Workbook
Seminar
Description
Students can attend office hours in order to solve any doubts or difficulties related with the subject.

Assessment
Methodologies Competencies Description Qualification
Mixed objective/subjective test A2 A3 A5 A6 A8 A10 B8 B9 B2 B3 C1 C6 The exam will consist of questions about the lecture-style classes and the readings related with the different topics. 70
Seminar A3 A4 A5 A8 A10 A11 A12 A14 B8 B11 B2 B3 B5 C1 C4 C8 Your participation grade will be based on the quality and regularity of your contributions to our classroom discussions. 30
 
Assessment comments

1,5
out of 3 is required in Seminar (30%). That mark will be added to the Long
answer mark if it the latter is at least 3,5 out of 7 (70%).

For those officially recognized with partial attendance to the course, assessment of Seminar (30%) will consist of an essay and the answer of oral questions of the professor the day of the final examination.

For those that do not pass Seminar and Long answer assessment, the alternative assessment in paragraph two is also possible in July.
Complementary


Recommendations
Subjects that it is recommended to have taken before
Spain in the Historical and Legal Context of Europe/612G01002
Constitutional Law: Sources of Law and Fundamental Rights/612G01003
Jurisprudence/612G01006
Natural and Civil Legal Person Law/612G01007
Criminal Law: General /612G01010
Obligations and Tort Law/612G01016
Public International Law/612G01019

Subjects that are recommended to be taken simultaneously

Subjects that continue the syllabus
Law and Biomedicine/612G01040
Legal Reasoning Theory and Practice/612G01041

Other comments


(*)The teaching guide is the document in which the URV publishes the information about all its courses. It is a public document and cannot be modified. Only in exceptional cases can it be revised by the competent agent or duly revised so that it is in line with current legislation.