Syllabus
Philosophy of Law
Spring 2010

NOTE: This syllabus will be filled out over the course of the semester. For an idea of what we will deal with in the course, take a look at the 2008 syllabus (which will, however, differ from this year's in a number of respects).

I.
    Is there a moral duty to obey the law?
    Reading:
       Introduction and Chapter One

II.
    Is legitimate authority possible?
    Reading:
    Chapter Two

III.
    Is there an unlimited and unitary sovereign in every legal system?
    Reading:
    Chapter Three

IV.
    What is the rule of recognition for the American legal system?
    Reading:
    Chapter Four

V.
    The paradox of self-amendment.
    Reading:
    Chapter Five

VI.
    What is a (legal) right?
    Reading:
    Chapter Six

VII.
    Is international law really law?
    Reading:
    Chapter Seven

VIII.
     Do all valid laws belong to one comprehensive legal system?
     Reading:
     Chapter Eight

IX.
     Does a judge make or find law in a hard case?
     Reading:
     Chapter Nine

X.
     Must all legal systems with courts have judicial review?
     Reading:
     Chapter Ten

XI.
     Is the law what a court says it is?
     Reading:
     Chapter Eleven

XII.
     What difference do theories of the meaning of words make to the interpretation of the law?
     Reading:
     Chapter Twelve

XIII.
     Does the debate over moral realism make a difference to whether the law should incorporate morality?
     Reading:
     Chapter Thirteen

XIV.
     Can Positivist Theories Explain the Normativity of Law?
       Reading:
     Chapter Fourteen

XV.
     Can the positivist accept that morality is sometimes incorporated into the law?
     Reading:
     Chapter Fifteen