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
Each year this course provides a sustained in-depth analysis of a central theme in legal theory. This year the theme is ‘Law and Values’. It is chosen to allow students to gain a deeper understanding of, and to critically engage with fundamental, questions about values in law and the value of law.
To address this theme we will read some core texts in legal theory. These offer insights into questions such as: Which values does or should law embody and protect? How does it do so? Do (legal) values change over time? When values conflict, how does law resolve this? What are the implications of legal institutions failing to uphold certain values? What is the appropriate role of legal coercion in the enforcement of values?
Are there limits to what law can or should do?
Questions such as these invite discussion and debate on matters of central importance to lawyers, judges, and citizens. To address them we will also consider contemporary examples in which these issues are at stake.
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 | Due date | Weighting | Feedback method* | Course learning outcomes |
| Oral presentation | TBC | 20% | 3,5 | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Essay | TBC | 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/