SOC016  General Theory of Law


Guarantor and lecturer:      prof.  JUDr. PhDr. Miloš Večeřa, CSc.

Main objectives can be summarized as to give the set of knowledge that is necessary for the study
of the branch of legal subjects, to master general legal terminology and the apprehension of legal
thinking. The basic set of lectures is aimed at the basic legal concepts and the system of law.


Outline of lectures with interactive discussion (2 hours a week):
 1. Opening information, organization
 2. Concept of law, system of legal sciences
 3. Characteristics of law
 4. Legal norms
 5. Legal order
 6. Law and State (Rule of Law)
 7. Visit of the Czech constitutional Court (expert commentary, Czech constitution)
 8. Interpretation and application of law.
 9. Legal relations - prerequisites
10. Subjects and objects in legal relations
11. Legal responsibility
12. Fundamental approaches in law. Written test
13. Discussion on the semester paper


Requirements for evaluation:

-          Only one absence

-          Active participation in lectures

-          Semester paper

-          Written test

-          Discussion on the semester paper


Mark on evaluation: A, B, C, D, E, F - unsuccessful


LITERATURE:

Kelsen, Hans. PureTheory of Law. 4th print. Berkeley : University of California Press, 2008.
ISBN 978-1-58477-578.

Hart, Herbert Lionel Adalphus. The Concept of Law. 2. ed. Oxford : Clarendon Press, 1994.
ISBN 0-19-876122-8.

Kelsen, Hans. General Theory of Law and State. 2. print. Cambridge : Harvard University Press,
1949.

Raz, Joseph. Practical Reason and Norms. Oxford : Oxford University Press, 1999.
ISBN 0-19-826834-3.

Dworkin, Ronald M. Taking Rights Seriously. 3. print. Cambridge : Harvard University Press, 1977.
ISBN 0-674-86710-6.