General Course Information
1.1 Course details
| Course code: | LLAW3205 / LALS3006 |
| Course name: | Advanced Legal Theory |
| Programme offered under: | LLB Programme / BA&LLB Programme |
| Semester: | Second |
| Designated research course: | Yes |
| Specialization: | Not applicable |
| Prerequisites / Co-requisites: | No |
| Course offered to non-law students: | No |
| Credit point value: | 6 credits |
1.2 Course description
This course provides an in-depth analysis of a number of key themes and texts in legal theory. Each year a core theme is introduced to provide a coherence to the study of several perennial problems in legal theory.
The course will work in a sustained way through a range of questions and perspectives so that students gain a deeper knowledge of legal theoretical issues and how they bear on contemporary problems of law in society. These will be explored through a series of engagements with texts, contexts, representations and contestations.
The course is seminar-based and will be taught through a range of materials and disciplinary approaches. These will include conventional scholarly texts in law, politics and philosophy, but may also draw on non-standard resources. The classes will be discussion-based.
Students are expected to pursue their own interests and insights on the issues raised in the course in a 5,000-word research essay. The subject of the essay will be devised by each student individually in consultation with the course convenor. An oral presentation will allow students to articulate their understanding of the ideas being analysed, as well as to answer questions on it.
As this is an advanced level course it is expected that students will normally have already studied some aspect of legal theory or a cognate subject. However, this is not a prerequisite.
1.3 Course teachers
| Name | E-mail address | Office | Consultation | |
| Course convenor | Scott Veitch | veitch@hku.hk | CCT 409 | By making an appointment through email |
Learning Outcomes
2.1 Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) for this course
CLO 1 Develop an understanding of a range of key issues and arguments in legal theory.
CLO 2 Develop and defend their own interpretations and views of the theme by critically evaluating material discussed in the course.
CLO 3 Apply their knowledge of the course materials to an essay topic approved by the course convenor.
CLO 4 Demonstrate an ability to articulate and defend their views orally and in writing.
2.2 LLB Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Please refer to the following link: https://course.law.hku.hk/llb-plo/
2.3 Programme Learning Outcomes to be achieved in this course
| PLO A | PLO B | PLO C | PLO D | PLO E | PLO F | |
| CLO 1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 3 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 4 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Assessment(s)
3.1 Assessment Summary
| Assessment task | Weighting | Feedback method* | Course learning outcomes |
| Oral presentation | 20% | 3,5 | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Essay | 80% | 2, 3 | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| *Feedback method (to be determined by course teacher) | |
| 1 | A general course report to be disseminated through Moodle |
| 2 | Individual feedback to be disseminated by email / through Moodle |
| 3 | Individual review meeting upon appointment |
| 4 | Group review meeting |
| 5 | In-class verbal feedback |
3.2 Assessment Detail
20% individual oral presentation.
80% essay (5,000 words).
3.3 Grading Criteria
Please refer to the following link: https://www.law.hku.hk/_files/law_programme_grade_descriptors.pdf
Learning Activities
4.1 Learning Activity Plan
| Lecture: | 3 hours / week for 12 teaching weeks |
| Private study time: | 9.5 hours / week for 12 teaching weeks |
Remarks: the normative student study load per credit unit is 25 ± 5 hours (ie. 150 ± 30 hours for a 6-credit course), which includes all learning activities and experiences within and outside of classroom, and any assessment task and examinations and associated preparations.
4.2 Details of Learning Activities
To be advised by course convenor(s).
Learning Resources
5.1 Resources
| Reading materials: | Reading materials are posted on Moodle |
| Core reading list: | TBA |
| Recommended reading list: | TBA |
5.2 Links
Please refer to the following link: http://www.law.hku.hk/course/learning-resources/