Introduction to the Philosophy of Law

Why should we obey the law? Can unjust laws still be valid? How should judges interpret the Constitution and what does punishment accomplish? This course introduces central debates in the philosophy of law through weekly case studies that bring abstract theories into conversation with real-world controversies.

Rather than relying on lectures, class time centers on active learning.

Students engage in structured discussions, small-group activities, and simulations designed to test competing ideas about legal obligation, rights, and justice.

By working through these cases together, students learn to analyze arguments with care, apply philosophical frameworks to concrete issues, and develop their own reasoned views on the role of law in a democratic society.