LL4BW Half Unit
Law and Political Thought
This information is for the 2024/25 session.
Teacher responsible
Professor Thomas Poole
Availability
This course is available on the LLM (extended part-time), LLM (full-time), MSc in Political Theory and University of Pennsylvania Law School LLM Visiting Students. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
This course has a limited number of places and demand is typically high. This may mean that you’re not able to get a place on this course.
Course content
This course examines the relationship between law and political theory. It does so through the study of classic texts of political thought, such as: Hobbes, Leviathan; Plato, Statesman; Harrington, Oceana; Schmitt, Political Theology; Arendt, On Revolution; Hayek, Law, Legislation and Liberty. Occasionally, we extend the range of analysis to include other forms of media, such as Fritz Lang’s M in the context of a broader discussion of Weimar-era theorists of law and politics (Kelsen, Schmitt, Heller). In this way, the course deals with major topics of theoretical and juridical interest, such as law and government, theories of authority and legitimacy, revolution and counter-revolution, nationalism and cosmopolitanism.
Teaching
This course will have 20 hours of teaching content in Winter Term and an additional two hours of teaching in the Spring Term. There will be a Reading Week in Week 6 of Winter Term.
Formative coursework
All students are expected to produce one 2,000 word formative essay during the course.
Indicative reading
The reading for the course consists of classic texts in political thought. Many are available online and the course is delivered through Moodle.
Assessment
Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes) in the spring exam period.
Key facts
Department: Law School
Total students 2023/24: 21
Average class size 2023/24: 22
Controlled access 2023/24: Yes
Value: Half Unit
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.