This course aims to acquaint the student with some major theories of law which have significantly influenced or criticised the conceptual development of law, and to examine historical evolution of law; natural law theory; legal positivism; law and society movement; legal realism; theories of justice; law and morality; the nature of rights; and the rule of law, as well as reflecting in a disciplined and critical manner on the nature and role of law and legal institutions.

The use of Generative AI tools is not allowed.

Grading of Student Achievement: Standard (A+, A, A-...F). Grading is based on student performance in assessment tasks / activities.

Applicable to students admitted in Semester A 2022/23 and 2023/24

A student must obtain a minimum mark of 50% in both continuous assessment and examination and an overall mark of 50% in order to pass the course. Continuous assessment for this purpose means those ways in which students are assessed otherwise than by the end of session examination.

Applicable to students admitted before Semester A 2022/23 and Semester A 2024/25 and thereafter

A student must obtain a minimum mark of 40% in both continuous assessment and examination and an overall mark of 40% in order to pass the course. Continuous assessment for this purpose means those ways in which students are assessed otherwise than by the end of session examination.

The portion of the overall mark allocated to performance/participation in inter-active in class activities will be assessed on the quality of the participation. The assessment will be based on presentation performance during the tutorial, including the preparation of PPT slides and interactive participation/discussion, as well as the subsequent summative writing based on the presentation. Moreover, class discussions and other related activities assigned by the instructor during lectures may be considered for awarding bonus points to students who demonstrate excellent performance, at the discretion of the course instructor.

The duration of the examination may last for 2 or 3 hours. The duration of the examination will be at the discretion of the course leader. The course leader will announce the duration of the examination in the first week of the course. Similarly the course leader will announce whether the examination will be closed book or open book.

To enable the full benefit to be obtained from this course, students should attend all of the classes and activities.