General Theory of Law

Spring semester 2023

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

Lecturers:      prof. JUDr.PhDr. Miloš Večeřa, CSc. (professor at DPT Faculty of Law, MU)



Language:      English

Time: Wednesday, 16.00, room 215

Outline of lectures:
 1. Opening information, organization
 2. Concept of law, system of legal disciplines
 3. Law as a specific social technique
 4. The legal order
 5. Brno normative legal school (1919-1950)
 6. Sources of law
 7. Major legal systems
 8. Legal state (The rule of law)
 9. Implementation of law
10. Interpretation of law
11. Presentation of written essays
12. Test at the end of the semester
13. Discussion at the end of the course

Literature:

H. Kelsen: General Theory of Law and State. New York: Russell and Russell, 1964.

B. H. Bix: A Dictionary of Legal Theory. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.

H. L. A. Hart: Concept of Law. HART, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1994.

D. J. Galligan: Law in Modern Society. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007.

R. Cotterrell: The Sociology of Law. London: Butterworths, 1992.

P. Osina: Legal Theory. Praha: Leges, 2017.


Lessons will be realized in a presence form (attendance in-person classes).


Requirements for successful end conclusion of the course:

- Active participation in lectures.

- The essay writing (about 5 pages long), theme of students' choice - about some legal

     philosopher, legal theorist, theoretical approach in law or about some legal problem.

     The deadline for sending essay in an attachment e-mail is April 29, 2023.

- Presentation of processed essay on May 3, 2023 in 5 minutes.

- Written test from texts in lectures on May 10, 2023.