Legal Methodology

Study:	Civil Law - 9. semester Commercial Law - 9. semester Constitutional-Administrative - 9. semester Criminal Law - 9. semester International Law - 9. semester The European Union Law - 9. semester
Code:	61345
ECTS:	4.0
Course coordinators:	izv. prof. dr. sc. Luka Burazin

Literature:
Goran Dajović; Ogled o metajurisprudenciji; Pravni fakultet Sveučilišta u Beogradu (2015), str. 1-155 Luka Burazin; Brian Leiter i naturaliziranje filozofije prava, u: Spaić, Bojan, Banović, Damir (ur.), Savremeni problemi pravne i političke filozofije, Šahinpašić, Sarajevo, 2016.; L. Burazin; Posredno i neposredno vrednujuća teorija prava, Revus - časopis za ustavnu teoriju i filozofiju prava, 20 (2013), str. 35-45; Duško Vrban; Metodologija prava i pravna tehnika; Pravni fakultet u Osijeku (2013), str. 8-55
Optional literature:
Kenneth E. Himma; The Methodology of Conceptual Analysis, in: The Nature of Law - Philosophical Issues in Conceptual Jurisprudence and Legal Theory; Foundation Press (2011), str. 484-566

Description:

The introductory part of the course discusses the role and tasks of the methodology of law as well as the subject-matter of legal theory and goes on to define the possible stages in the construction of a successful analytical legal theory. Thereafter, it outlines how conceptual analysis works in general and how different kinds of conceptual analysis affect the object of inquiry, mainly focusing on H.L.A. Hart's and J. Raz's methodological approaches. It then analyses B. Leiter's proposals for naturalising legal theory. The next topic covers Dickson's dichotomy between indirectly evaluative and directly evaluative legal theory. Thereafter, the course considers R. Dworkin's method of constructive interpretation as a rival to the methodology adopted by legal positivism. It then presents Finnis's normative approache to the subject-matter of legal theory. Finally, the course will analyse dogmatic, sociological, comparative and historical methodological approaches to law.

Cognitive Skills:

After having succesfully completed the course students will be able to:

explain the most important methods of legal-theoretical inquiry;

define the subject matter of legal theory;

apply the descriptive and normative approach to law;

apply different methodological approaches to legal problems pertaining to different branches of legal science;

analyse, compare and critically evaluate different methods for investigating law.

Practical and Generic Skills:

After successfully mastering the course, students will increase:

1. ability to identify and summarise key facts and elements;

2. ability to systematically and coherently argument their standpoints;

3. ability of legal reasoning;

4. ability of written legal expression.

Matching Assessments to Learning Outcomes:

1. Forms of testing learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are tested by an oral examination. Oral examination may be replaced by a preparation of a final seminar paper.

2. Grading criteria

Grades for oral examination range from Insufficient (1) to Excellent (5). Final course grade is determined on the basis of the final grade for oral examination or final seminar paper.

3. manners of testing individual learning outcomes

a) for learning outcome 1 - oral examination or final seminar paper

b) for learning outcome 2 - oral examination or final seminar paper

c) for learning outcome 3 - oral examination or final seminar paper

d) for learning outcome 4 - oral examination or final seminar paper

e) for learning outcome 5 - oral examination or final seminar paper

Consultations schedule:

izv. prof. dr. sc. Luka Burazin:
Mondays 9:00 am - 10:30 am (meet.google.com/kwv-qxvn-iwu).
Location: Gundulićeva 10, room 18