Arts, Sciences, and Engineering Philosophy
Course Section Listing Course Course Title Term Credits Status
COURSE_SECTION-3-144593 PHIL 226-1 Philosophy of Law Spring 2023 4.0 Open
Schedule:
Day Begin End Location Start Date End Date
TR 1230 1345 Bausch & Lomb Room 106 01/11/2023 05/06/2023
Enrollment: Enrolled     
43
Capacity     
45
Co-Located: PHIL 226-1 (P), PHIL 226W-1, PHIL 426-1
Instructors: James Otis
Description: PREREQUISITE: One Previous Philosophy course required

In recent years, the U.S. legal system has been beset by claims of overcriminalization, racially discriminatory enforcement, and inadequate or unequal protection of individual civil rights. What should we make of these claims, and what, if anything, would be implied by their truth? In seeking to answer these questions, this course will examine the nature of the law and its enforcement. We will begin by discussing the issue of criminalization and whether the expansion of the criminal law is or is not problematic. From there, we will turn to the foundational questions of what, precisely, the law is, and what its connection to morality is or should be. Are we obligated to obey the law, and if so, why? Finally, we will ask whether it is possible for the law to remain neutral with regards to morality and politics, and whether the supposed “neutrality” of the law may itself be an instrument of oppression. If the legal system lacks the kind of neutrality that many legal theorists claim for it, what (if anything) does that license us (as citizens) to do? (Offered every spring)

Offered: Fall Spring Summer

Course Section Listing Course Course Title Term Credits Status
COURSE_SECTION-3-143141 PHIL 226W-1 Philosophy of Law Spring 2023 4.0 Open
Schedule:
Day Begin End Location Start Date End Date
TR 1230 1345 Bausch & Lomb Room 106 01/11/2023 05/06/2023
Enrollment: Enrolled     
43
Capacity     
45
Co-Located: PHIL 226-1 (P), PHIL 226W-1, PHIL 426-1
Instructors: James Otis
Description: In recent years, the U.S. legal system has been beset by claims of overcriminalization, racially discriminatory enforcement, and inadequate or unequal protection of individual civil rights. What should we make of these claims, and what, if anything, would be implied by their truth? In seeking to answer these questions, this course will examine the nature of the law and its enforcement. We will begin by discussing the issue of criminalization and whether the expansion of the criminal law is or is not problematic. From there, we will turn to the foundational questions of what, precisely, the law is, and what its connection to morality is or should be. Are we obligated to obey the law, and if so, why? Finally, we will ask whether it is possible for the law to remain neutral with regards to morality and politics, and whether the supposed “neutrality” of the law may itself be an instrument of oppression. If the legal system lacks the kind of neutrality that many legal theorists claim for it, what (if anything) does that license us (as citizens) to do? (Offered every spring)
Offered: Fall Spring Summer

Course Section Listing Course Course Title Term Credits Status
COURSE_SECTION-3-123825 PHIL 226-1 Philosophy of Law Spring 2022 4.0 Open
Schedule:
Day Begin End Location Start Date End Date
TR 1525 1640 Lattimore Room 201 01/12/2022 05/07/2022
Enrollment: Enrolled     
56
Capacity     
60
Co-Located: PHIL 226-1 (P), PHIL 226W-1, PHIL 426-1
Instructors: Rosa Terlazzo
Restrictions: Instructor Permission
Description: In recent years, the U.S. legal system has been beset by claims of overcriminalization, racially discriminatory enforcement, and inadequate or unequal protection of individual civil rights. What should we make of these claims, and what, if anything, would be implied by their truth? In seeking to answer these questions, this course will examine the nature of the law and its enforcement. We will begin by discussing the issue of criminalization and whether the expansion of the criminal law is or is not problematic. From there, we will turn to the foundational questions of what, precisely, the law is, and what its connection to morality is or should be. Are we obligated to obey the law, and if so, why? Finally, we will ask whether it is possible for the law to remain neutral with regards to morality and politics, and whether the supposed “neutrality” of the law may itself be an instrument of oppression. If the legal system lacks the kind of neutrality that many legal theorists claim for it, what (if anything) does that license us (as citizens) to do? (Offered every spring)
Offered: Fall Spring Summer

Course Section Listing Course Course Title Term Credits Status
COURSE_SECTION-3-121626 PHIL 226W-1 Philosophy of Law Spring 2022 4.0 Open
Schedule:
Day Begin End Location Start Date End Date
TR 1525 1640 Lattimore Room 201 01/12/2022 05/07/2022
Enrollment: Enrolled     
56
Capacity     
60
Co-Located: PHIL 226-1 (P), PHIL 226W-1, PHIL 426-1
Instructors: Rosa Terlazzo
Restrictions: Instructor Permission
Description: Theories of law and normative and conceptual problems in specific areas of law: transitional justice, jurisdiction, problems of legal interpretation, criminal attempts, the logic of fault, wrongful gain and compensation, moral limitations on freedom of contract, legal aspects of terrorism and torture, etc. Fulfills upper level writing requirement for the major.
Offered: Fall Spring Summer