Course Descriptions By Program

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JUR300 - Classical Jurisprudence

A comprehensive overview of ancient and classical jurisprudence forms the foundation of this course. Commencing with an in-depth examination of the Plato’s Laws, the course will delve deeply into this original contribution whereby law is considered transcendentally. From there the course moves to Cicero and his remarkable work on law and nature, his naturalism and his discourse on legal ethics and public duty. Next, the concept of justice as espoused by Aristotle is fully examined as well as other juris-prudential resources of ancient Rome and Greece.

JUR310 - Medieval Jurisprudence

The course examines the dynamic evolution of legal theory and jurisprudence from the early to latter Middle Ages. Beginning with Augustine’s inquiry into the nature of free will, human action and personal responsibility, the course will then weave its way into early themes and threads of natural law tradition. Concepts of justice and injustice will be fully assessed as well as early commentary on the nature of an unjust law and civil disobedience. The second part of the course will intensely examine the jurisprudence of Thomas Aquinas especially as espoused in his Treatise on Law.

JUR320 - Anglo-American Jurisprudence

The primary aim of this course is the introduction of mainline American theories of law and jurisprudence from its common law roots to the founding period of this nation. At issue is the evolution of our current legal institutions and principles. How does a body of law and practice become fully ensconced into the dynamism known as America? How does the English system influence the American model? The course looks at legal definitions, legal procedures and processes, common law principles, the role of judge, jury and the tribunal, the pedagogy of legal education, the types of legal professions common to Western democracies as well as the development of ecclesiastical, equitable, civil and criminal systems. Finally, the course examines some of the more influential thinkers in law and jurisprudence at the time of this nation’s founding including Locke, Mill and Jefferson