Law and Humanities
Overview
- Credit value: 30 credits at Level 7
- Convenor: Prof Patrick Hanafin
- Tutors: Visiting Professors Paul Raffield, Bill MacNeil and Jaco Barnard-Naudé
- Assessment: a 4000-word essay (100%)
Module description
Law and the humanities is a distinct field of interdisciplinary study of growing significance. In this module we offer you a unique perspective on the study and practice of law. We will draw on the theoretical and methodological richness of the humanities, including history, political and social theory, literature, theatre and visual culture studies, to equip you with the conceptual tools and skills for a more thorough understanding of the traditions and workings of the law.
The module will develop and strengthen your analytical, critical and imaginative capabilities, and cultivate specific skills such as textual analysis, critical reading and effective argument.
Indicative syllabus
- What is distinct about thinking of law as a humanities subject and what does it mean to utilise humanities-based research methodologies in its study?
- What is 'critical' scholarship and how can a humanities approach shape legal critique, e.g. in politics, ethics and justice?
- Can the interaction between the humanities and legal scholarship explain the responsibility of the scholar and of scholarship?
Learning objectives
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- understand and explain key legal mechanisms and frameworks for achieving justice
- transfer your understanding of complex problems and regulatory responses to different contexts
- critically evaluate legal and humanities research frameworks
- engage with contemporary legal and policy discussions
- draw on relevant literature and law to independently generate and communicate written or oral discussions on the themes of the module.