Identifying Data 2020/21
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
Coordinador
Serna Bermudez, Pedro
 E-mail
pedro.serna@udc.es
Lecturers
Crego Blanco, Jorge
Pereira Saez, Maria Carolina
Rivas Pala, Pedro
Serna Bermudez, Pedro
Vergara Lacalle, Oscar
 E-mail
jorge.crego@udc.es
c.pereira.saez@udc.es
pedro.rivas@udc.es
pedro.serna@udc.es
oscar.vergara@udc.es
Web
General description A materia tenta proporcionar unha comprensión global do fenómeno xurídico mediante a revisión crítica das bases históricas, políticas e científicas da paradigma dominante no Dereito contemporáneo. Así mesmo, preténdese poñer ao alcance dos estudantes unha comprensión máis profunda dalgunhas nocións, institucións, procesos e estruturas centrais estudadas ao longo da carreira, unificando e sintetizando eses coñecementos. Por tanto, aspírase 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 o paradigma dominante (o positivismo xurídico) e, finalmente, suxerir as liñas básicas dunha filosofía xurídica que permita unha comprensión máis axustada do Dereito do momento presente.
Contingency plan 1. Modificacións nos contidos
Non se realizarán cambios. Só serán obxecto de avaliación aqueles contidos que efectivamente se desenvolvan nas clases expositivas ou nas sesións de grupos reducidos.
2. Metodoloxías
*Metodoloxías docentes que se manteñen
Mantéñense todas as metodoloxías previstas. Só variará a contorna de realización, pasando da contorna presencial á contorna online.

*Metodoloxías docentes que se modifican
As sesións maxistrais e os seminarios levaranse a cabo en liña a través de Teams. Engadirase unha proba de ensaio que permitirá reducir o valor da proba final oral e avaliar a través dela a adquisición dalgúns dos resultados de aprendizaxe e das competencias da materia.

3. Mecanismos de atención personalizada ao alumnado
a) Moodle. Empregarase para poñer ao dispor dos estudantes as presentacións (enriquecidas) dos contidos de cada tema. Isto farase ao comezo das clases da materia. Tamén se usará para a comunicación xeral cos estudantes. Presumirase que todos os estudantes coñecen o publicado polos profesores en Moodle. Así mesmo, subiranse semanalmente as ligazóns ás gravacións das clases expositivas online. Finalmente, empregarase para a realización e entrega da proba escrita.
b) Teams. Empregarase cada semana para as clases de docencia expositiva (2 horas por cada quenda, excepto as semanas en que están programadas máis clases). Estas sesións de clase gravaranse e incluirase unha ligazón ás mesmas en Moodle para que os estudantes poidan velas se non puideron conectarse, ou volver velas se hai algo que desexen clarificar. Tamén se empregará para as sesións de grupos reducidos (1 hora semanal por cada grupo reducido). Estas sesións non se gravarán, en principio. Tamén se poderán empregar para sesións de titorías individuais e grupais con estudantes (o necesario, segundo demanda, ata un máximo de 6 horas semanais). Por último, empregaranse para os exames orais, que serán gravados, así como as súas respectivas revisións.
c) Correo electrónico. Empregarase para a resolución de dúbidas e a titoría individual con estudantes e para a comunicación cos delegados. Procurarase responder canto antes, en todo caso dentro do prazo máximo dunha semana.

4. Modificacións na avaliación
O exame final pasará a valer un 50% da cualificación final. Consistirá nun exame oral a través de Teams, que será gravado. Formularanse 3 ou 4 preguntas, elixidas de entre unha lista que se facilitará previamente aos estudantes para facilitar a preparación da proba. Os seminarios continuarán valendo o 30% da cualificación final e non variarán os criterios de avaliación dos mesmos. Introducirase unha proba escrita que representará o 20% da cualificación final. Nela, haberá que responder a un conxunto de preguntas de ensaio relacionadas cunha parte dos contidos da materia, que indicará o profesor, nas que se deberá poñer en conexión o aprendido con outros coñecementos adquiridos ao longo dos estudos de grao.
Observacións de avaliación: Os estudantes que teñan dificultades para facer a súa presentación nos seminarios conectándose a través de Teams poden, previa comunicación ao profesor responsable do seu grupo reducido, seguir o sistema previsto na guía docente para os estudantes con dispensa de asistencia a clases. Se xa houberen participado asiduamente ao longo do curso e a dificultade para facer a súa intervención en forma de pregunta ou comentario fose puntual, poderán facela a través do chat de Teams ou enviala por correo electrónico ao profesor. Quen non logren aprobar a parte dos seminarios na oportunidade de maio, deberán presentarse en xullo realizando as tarefas previstas na guía docente para os estudantes con dispensa de asistencia a clases. Os estudantes do Programa de simultaneidade do Grao en ADE e Grao en Dereito cursarán a materia no primeiro cuadrimestre. Quen deba presentarse á oportunidade de xullo, se tiveren pendente a parte dos seminarios, deberán realizar as tarefas previstas para os estudantes con dispensa de asistencia a clases. Se tiveren pendente a parte teórica, deberán realizar as actividades de avaliación na forma prevista para as mesmas que estea vixente cando se haxan de celebrar (presencial ou online).

5. Modificacións da bibliografía ou webgrafía

Non están previstas modificacións. Para os estudantes do grupo en lingua inglesa se engadirán documentos ou ligazóns de consulta voluntaria a sitios web onde poderán atopar material de apoio para a preparar boa parte do temario exposto nas clases. Procurarase non incrementar a carga de traballo asociada á materia. Para os estudantes en galego/castelán, o único libro de bibliografía básica, do que é autor o coordinador da materia, subirase en formato pdf á páxina da materia en Moodle.

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
To achieve a global vision of Western Law during Modernity, of the deep transformations experienced by contemporary legal systems, as well as of the main current debates on the political framework of Law. A2
A3
A4
A6
A10
A12
 B9
B1
B2
B3
B5
 C4
C6
C7
To develop conceptual and methodological tools for the critique of the general approach to Law received as an implicit part of the degree. A2
A5
A6
A8
A11
A14
 B6
B8
B11
B1
B2
B3
 C4
C6
C8
Developing with a critical sense and in a creative way the capacity of legal and ethical-political argumentation. A4
A8
A10
A11
A12
 B8
 C1
C4
C6
Understanding the main lines of modern and contemporary thought on justice in its relation to Law, and developing a personal critical point of view on their application to current debates. 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. Philosophy as historical knowledge.
2. Thinking about one's own time, the task of the Philosophy of Law.
3. Where to start? The problem of the starting point. The dominant paradigm as a starting point: cultural, political and legal modernity and legal positivism.
2. Legal Positivism and Legal Modernity 1. Legal positivism: a descriptive approach.
2. The theoretical and ideological bases of the modern State.
3. The transformations of the Law from the Civil Codification.
4. The aspiration to make a science of Law: legal science in the 19th and 20th centuries.
3. The weaknesses of the positivist paradigm. 1. The unilateralism of the positivist concept of law.
2. The difficulties of positivism in explaining legal practice and in providing tools to operate in it.
3. The ideological nature of scientism and the necessarily evaluative nature of legal activity.
4. Current Law: Evolution of Western Legal Systems since the second half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century 1. Constitutionalization of legal systems.
2. Transcending the framework of the State and the State-Law equation.
3. The debate on the sources of legitimacy: democracy and/or rule of law.
4. New human rights versus classic human rights.
5. Attempts to manage the argumentative and deliberative dimension of the Law. 1. Some theories of legal argumentation Contributions and limits.
6. Guidelines for the implementation of a legal philosophy which is able to explain current Law. 1. An ontologically founded hermeneutic approach.
2. Law as a form of coexistence.
7. Theories of justice and their impact on current debates 1. The basic historical frameworks: utilitarianism, libertarianism, kantism and aristotelism.
2. Market and morality.
3. Political justice and contemporary social democratic ethics (Rawls).
4. Arguments for and against affirmative action. Feminism and gender policies.
5. The question of merit.
6. Citizenship and the requirements and limits of loyalty: what we owe each other.
7. Justice and the common good.
8. Sustainability.
9. The invasion of markets on morality: from the subrogation of the female body to the purchase of honors.
10. The North-South debt and the responsibility of developed countries.

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
Speaking 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 They will have an introductory character to the main topics of the course, or else of recapitulation. This methodology is related to competences A4, A6, A8 and A14.
Workbook The development of critical thinking and autonomous learning requires that the study be based on a direct reflection of the students from the reading of classic and contemporary texts, as well as normative texts -legislative and case law-, referring to part of the thematic contents of the subject. This activity is related to competences A4, A6, A10, B1, B3, B4 and C6.
Seminar The seminars will be held in small groups to analyse and discuss the issues relating to the theory of justice indicated in topic 7.
They require the active participation of the students, who will have to present and critically analyse the texts and issues that are the subject of each session.
They serve to develop argumentative, oral and written skills, and to develop systematic, creative and critical thinking.
This methodology is related to the competences A4, A5, A8, A10, B3, B6, C1, C4 and C6.
Speaking test This exam combines objective and essay/developmental examination. The contents of the lectures, including the readings related to the contents of the first 6 topics, will be evaluated by using this type of exam. This activity is related to competences B1, B3, C1 and C6.

Personalized attention
Methodologies
Guest lecture / keynote speech
Workbook
Seminar
Description
Students may consult with the professor about any doubts or difficulties that may arise with regard to the lectures, readings or seminars.
They may do so in individual or group sessions organized for this purpose within the teachers' tutoring hours. There is also the possibility of clearing up doubts via e-mail when the nature of the doubts allows it. And there is also the possibility of carrying out virtual group or individual sessions through Skype, Teams or other similar means.

Assessment
Methodologies Competencies Description Qualification
Speaking test A2 A3 A5 A6 A8 A10 B8 B9 B2 B3 C1 C6 The exam will be used to assess the learning of the contents of the lectures and the capacity of critical reflection achieved around them. In the objective part of the exam, special emphasis will be put on understanding the contents, the ability to identify precisely the answers to the questions and the ability to respond with conceptual and linguistic accuracy, avoiding ambiguities and misunderstandings. In the questions that require reflection, the ability to synthesize, identify problems and personal reflection will also be valued. Correctness of expression will be relevant in the assessment. 70
Seminar A3 A4 A5 A8 A10 A11 A12 A14 B8 B11 B2 B3 B5 C1 C4 C8 The assessment of the participation in the small group sessions will refer to the students' presentations and the interventions in the subsequent discussions. In the presentations, it will be possible to obtain up to one point, and the fluency of the presentation and the capacity for analysis and synthesis will be judged. In both (presentations and interventions), students will be assessed on their ability to master the thematic content, their argumentative skills and their capacity to counterargument and evaluate the different points of view in a well-founded manner. Up to 2 points can be achieved by the interventions. As this is a continuous assessment, the quality of the interventions will be considered first and, secondly, the frequency or total number of them throughout the course. The correction in oral expression will be relevant in the assessment. As a general indication, continuous evaluation cannot be approved if 4 or 5 interventions of significant value are not made in different sessions of the seminar. 30
 
Assessment comments

In order to pass the course, the sum of the mark obtained in the continuous assessment of the seminars and the mark of the test(s) will have to reach 5 points.

The two grades will not be added together if at least 1.2 points (out of a possible 3) are not obtained in the seminars; and 3.5 points (out of a possible 7) in the tests.

There will be no mid-term exams.

In the case of students with recognition of part-time dedication and academic dispensation of attendance who cannot participate in the seminar sessions, the evaluation of the corresponding competences (30% of the final mark) will be carried out by means of a written work on one of the headings of topic 7 and an interview with the professor in charge of the corresponding group of seminars, which will deal with the remaining contents of topic 7, in which these students must show their level of deepening in the contents of the texts proposed for the seminars and development of a critical point of view. This alternative evaluation will be carried out before the start of the final examination period, on a date and at a time agreed with the professor, with a deadline for the submission of written work and for the oral test on the start day of each examination period.

Students who cannot participate in the seminar sessions for justified reasons, which must be appreciated by the coordinating professor of the course, can also take advantage of this alternative form of evaluation. They must inform the professor of the circumstances that justify the exceptionality within the first two school weeks of the four-month period. If the circumstances are supervened, they must be communicated as soon as they occur. Students who apply for the second call or opportunity (July) will keep their seminar grades, if they have achieved at least 1.2 points out of 3. Students who do not achieve a score of 1.2 in the May-June call in the evaluation of the seminars must follow the alternative evaluation described above in the July call or opportunity. For those who do not achieve a score of 1.5 the withdrawal of the mark for the seminars will be optional

.


Sources of information
Basic Pedro Serna (2006). Filosofía del Derecho y paradigmas epistemológicos. México, D.F.: Porrúa
Michael J. Sandel (2011). Justicia. ¿Hacemos lo que debemos?. Barcelona: Debate
  • Robert Alexy (2009), A Theory of Legal Argumentation. The Theory of Rational Discourse as Theory of Legal Justification. Trans. Ruth Adler & Neil MacCormick. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • John Finnis (2011), Natural Law and Natural Rights. Oxford: Clarendon Law Series. 2nd ed.
  • H.L.A. Hart (2012), The Concept of Law. Edited by Joseph Raz, and Penelope A. Bulloch. Oxford: Clarendon Law Series. 3rd ed.
  • Hans Kelsen (2009), Pure Theory of Law. Trans. Max Knight. New Jersey: The Lawbook Exchange.
  • Karl Olivecrona (1971), Law as fact. London: Sweet & Maxwell.
  • Chaim Perelman, (1979). The new rhetoric and the humanities: Essays on rhetoric and its applications. Dordrecht: Springer.
  • John Rawls (1999), A Theory of Justice. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
  • Michael J. Sandel (2010), Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? Penguin, London, 2010.
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
Person's 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.