Course Details

Course Code(s):
LA4131
Available:
Part-Time
Intake:
Autumn/Fall
Course Start Date:
Autumn 2025
Duration:
One Semester (12 Weeks)
Award:
University Certificate of Study
Qualification:
NFQ Level 8 Minor Award
Faculty: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Course Type: Professional/Flexible, Online
Fees: For Information on Fees, see section below.

Contact(s):

Name: Professor Shane Kilcommins
Address: Head, School of Law Email: shane.kilcommins@ul.ie Web: /law/
Express Interest

Register your interest here for more information or to be notified when applications are open.

Brief Description

Please ensure you enter the Module Code above when applying for this module. Applications without this cannot be processed. You may apply for more than one module under the same application.

Module Description

Module Code

NFQ Level

ECTS Credits

Start Date

Cost

Jurisprudence

LA4131

8

6

TBC

€750.00

This micro-credential represents a single module within a larger further award (eg. Certificate, Diploma, Masters). By taking this micro-credential you may be eligible to apply for a credit exemption should you progress to study for a further award. The programmes associated with this MicroCred are: 

 

Jurisprudence is a module on legal theory and philosophy. This module will examine the major ideas in order to promote a better understanding of the social, moral, political, economic and gendered dimensions of law. It will draw on the work of a variety of theorists and movements including realism, positivism, natural law, postmodernism, law and economics, Marxism and feminisms.

This module embraces insights from a variety of different disciplines including history, sociology, political science, economics, philosophy , and psychology. It asks questions such as: What is law? What minimum laws are necessary for a legal system? Are legal decisions based entirely on legal rules? What non-legal factors can arise in decision-making? Can we make moral judgments about a law or what it should be? Can we make economic judgments about a law or what it should be? How do judges decide hard cases? Do we have to obey an immoral law? Does law follow or lead in society? Is law objective and neutral? Can it be objective and neutral? Do we have to obey an immoral law? Do rights matter?

See list of topics covered in the module below:

1. American Realism

2. Marxism

3. Law and Economics

4. Critical Legal Studies

5. Feminisms

6. Positivism: Classical Positivism

7. Hart and the Concept of Law

8. Natural Law

9. Lon Fuller and Natural Law

10. Justice and Rights Theories: Dworkin

11. Postmodernism

Each candidate is considered on an individual basis whose academic qualifications, work experience, motivation and overall potential for the programme are evaluated

Entry requirements are established to ensure the learner can engage with the course material and assessments, at a level suitable to their needs, and the academic requirements of the module. By applying to this micro-credential, you are confirming that you have reviewed and understand any such requirements, and that you meet the eligibility criteria for admission.

Successful completion of this module does not automatically qualify you for entry into a further award. All programme applicants must meet the entry requirements listed if applying for a further award.

€750.00

Please click here for information on funding and scholarships.