Philosophy of Law

What is law, what does it do, and what can it do? Enjoying a historically venerable status, legal institutions are privileged in western civilization as the locus of ultimate social decision-making. Central to the philosophies that inform their structures is the controversy between the concepts of justice and order. The course examines whether laws maintain or attempt to change the status quo. The course also studies mediation as an alternative to litigation. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: any 100-level Philosophy course or consent of instructor.