76008 Jurisprudence (UG)

This subject deals with theoretical questions that are relevant to an understanding of the notion of law (e.g. What is the law of the state? Is there any other command, convention or the like that can also be called 'law'?). It also includes a discussion of different approaches to the study of law (e.g. philosophical, sociological, historical, analytic, international, comparative) to determine its derivation, nature and function, as well as a discussion of the doctrines and techniques of legal analysis and evaluation. The various approaches are compared and critiqued in the context of sociopolitical problems, conflicts and other phenomena. Topics here include sovereignty and the law, legal rights and duties, and law and ideology. Their treatment in the common law is examined. A number of theorists are considered, e.g. Austin, and Dworkin.