Central issues in western intellectual history of law and legal philosophy from antiquity to present time

Education facts

Code: JPA011

The aim of the course is for students to acquire general legal knowledge at a time when AI is expected to be capable of performing central components of traditional legal work. Students are trained in intellectual work and historical overview.The course covers central ideas in the intellectual history of Western law from antiquity to the present. The course begins with a general overview of the history of law, with a focus on Roman law, and then proceeds to an in-depth study of several of the central conceptual structures related to law. Special weight is placed on:- the concept of justice (from Aristotle to Rawls),- equality and equal opportunities,- the relationship between law and morality,- the principle of suum cuique and the normative basis of property rights, and- constitutionalism and legitimacy. Studies consist of close reading of central texts, supplemented with analysis literature in legal history and legal philosophy. The course emphasises independent intellectual work, argumentation analysis, and conceptual precision. Instruction is in the form of lectures and mandatory seminars with text discussions and oral analysis.

Entry requirements

60 credits from semesters 1-2 and 90 credits from semesters 3-6 of the Law Programme (JALAW). An equivalence assessment can be made.

Education offerings

Each offering has its own dates and conditions. Closed offerings are retained as history and do not mean that a new application is open.

• Central issues in western intellectual history of law and legal philosophy from antiquity to present time

  Karlstad University

  Karlstad

  Start date: 9 November 2026

  End date: 17 January 2027

  Pace of study: 100 %