Philosophy of Law

 

Dr. Lee

Fall, 2006

Office hrs: MW: 1:50-2:50;

TR: 2-3, Rm. 154 (Nursing Wing)

E-mail:  plee@franciscan.edu

Phone:  284-5837

Webpage:  www2.franciscan.edu/plee  

 

Texts:

1.     Andrew Altman, Arguing About Law (2nd edition)

2.     Robert P. George, Clash of Orthodoxies

3.     Photocopied Selections from Osgniach, Philosophic Roots of Law and Order (in bookstore) 

 

 

OBJECTIVES: 

 

 

Aug

30

Intro:  Example of Controversy in Law:  Roe v. Wade

 

 

 

Sept

4

Roe v. Wade

 

 

Internet Reading #1 (Roe v. Wade online)

 

 

6

Clash of Orthodoxies

George, pp. 3-38

 

 

 

 

11

Law and the State; Hobbes

Altman, Ch. 1; Internet Reading #2

 

 

 

 

 

13

Hobbes and Locke

Internet Reading #3

 

 

 

 

18

Liberalism:  Mill

Internet Reading #4

 

 

 

 

20

Mill

 

 

 

 

25

Natural Law:  St. Thomas

Internet Reading #5: 

 

 

 

 

27

Natural Law:  St. Thomas

 

 

 

Oct.

2

Critiques of Natural Law Theory

 

 

Altman, pp. 49-54, plus handout sheets

 

 

4

Natural Law and the Political Common Good

Osgniach, pp. 15-45

 

 

 

 

9

Natural Law and the Political Common Good

 

 

Osgniach, pp. 47-96

 

 

11

Natural and Civil Law

 

 

Osgniach, pp. 100-126; 170-187

 

 

16

Mid-Term Exam

 

 

 

 

18

Justice and Rights

 

 

Altman, Ch. 5

 

 

23

Justice and Rights

 

 

 

 

25

Property

 

 

Altman, Ch. 4

 

 

30

Recent Theories of Law

 

 

Altman, pp. 54-76; George, pp. 211-230

 

Nov.

6

Recent Theories of Law

 

 

 

 

8

Law and Morality

 

 

George, pp. 91-109

 

 

13

Law and Morality

 

 

Internet Reading #6 (Lawrence v. Texas); George, 39-74

 

 

15

Law and Morality

 

 

George, 75-90

 

 

22

Law, Morality and the Family

 

 

George 231-258;

 

 

27

Law, Morality and the Family

 

 

Altman, 22-230; George, 273-302

 

 

29

Constitutional Law

 

 

Internet Assignment #7; George, 127-152; Altman, Ch. 3

 

Dec.

4

Constitutional Law

 

 

George, 153-210

 

 

6

Conclusion

 

 

 

 

13

Final Exam (2:30—4:30)

 

READING ASSIGNMENTS:  These are listed under the topic on the right hand side.  On most of these reading assignments you should do the reading before the class in which that topic is discussed, plus re-read it, or at least review it, after the lecture and discussion in class. 

 

PAPER:  Approximately 8-12 pp. long for undergraduates or graduate students, 14-16 pp. for graduate students.  Suggested topics will be distributed; further instructions on its method will be given in class.  An outline of the paper must be submitted by November 6. The paper is due November 22. 

 

OTHER WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS:  At times I may ask you to write one or two paragraphs on the reading assignment as preparation for a discussion in class. 

 

EXAMS:   There will be two exams.  The final will be cumulative.  No make-ups will be given.  If the first exam is missed then the other grades will be worth proportionately more. 

 

GRADES:  The grade will be calculated as follows: About 30% for each exam, 30% for the paper, and 10% for participation.