PHI 315 Philosophy of the Rule of Law: Theory and Practice

3 hours 

This course investigates various philosophies of the rule of law contributing to the liberal democratic tradition, focusing on controversies and debates over what, exactly, the rule of law is and what it is supposed to do. Positivism, natural law theory, the social function of law, legal realism, rule skepticism, and the normative and aspirational aspects of the rule of law will all be considered. Once we have read through the history and philosophy of the rule of law, the course will focus on real-world problems and debates about the rule of law in domestic and international settings, to ask how we might reimagine the rule of law in the face of contemporary challenges.