Jurisprudence

A survey of the nature and history of legal thought. Beginning with the development of natural law, the course will analyze the consequent rise of 19th century positivism and 20th century realism. Non-western jurisprudential tradition is briefly introduced. Modern jurisprudential trends are carefully explored. All of this material is explored with one purpose in mind; to determine and understand the actuating principles of ethics and philosophy which underlie legal decision making, both contemporary and past.