Legal Theory

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:6.00

Study Course Accepted:02.02.2024 12:30:51

Study Course Information
Course Code:		JF_401		LQF level:		Level 6
Credit Points:		4.00		ECTS:		6.00
Branch of Science:		Law		Target Audience:		Juridical Science
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Linards Muciņš
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:		Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		20	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		40
Classes (count)		12	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		24
Total Contact Hours								64
Part-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		8	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		16
Classes (count)		2	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		4
Total Contact Hours								20
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Not required.
Objective:
To acquaint students with the basics of the theory of law. To improve students’ ability to analyse legal processes independently, while explaining the theoretical basis and basics of law, the essence and functions of law, paying attention to public and private law. Additionally, to develop students’ understanding of the structure of the state, its social, legal and political structure, the theory of law, as well as the place and significance of the study course in the overall study process. To provide students with the opportunity to acquire the main knowledge of law through the course on the theory of law, which is applicable in all fields of law and professional practice.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Introduction to the subject.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
2	Understanding of law.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
3	Social and legal norms.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
				Classes		2.00	auditorium
4	Legal relations.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
				Classes		3.00	auditorium
5	Positive law.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
6	Natural justice.			Classes		2.50	auditorium
7	Laws and regulations.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
8	Legal system.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
9	Creation of legislation, force thereof.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
				Classes		2.50	auditorium
10	Implementation of legal provisions.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
11	Legal systems, families, groups.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
12	Jurisdiction.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
				Classes		2.00	auditorium
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Introduction to the subject.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
2	Understanding of law.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
3	Social and legal norms.			Lectures		0.25	auditorium
				Classes		0.50	auditorium
4	Legal relations.			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
				Classes		0.50	auditorium
5	Positive law.			Lectures		0.50
6	Natural justice.			Classes		0.25	auditorium
7	Laws and regulations.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
8	Legal system.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
9	Creation of legislation, force thereof.			Lectures		0.25	auditorium
				Classes		0.25	auditorium
10	Implementation of legal provisions.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
11	Legal systems, families, groups.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
12	Jurisdiction.			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
				Classes		0.50	auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
• homework with specific tasks; • developing and preparing an essay (the essay contents should include: a problem, causation of the problem, solution to the problem); • to prepare a presentation for each seminar (in line with the lecture plan), be prepared for presentation (theoretical knowledge and reflection thereof in practice must be presented using presentation slides). In order to evaluate the quality of the study course as a whole, the student must fill out the study course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.
Assessment Criteria:
Active participation and quality of answers in practical classes, high-quality written homework submitted in a timely manner, individual work – homework, exam – written.
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):		Exam (Written)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		After completing the course, the student will be able to describe and identify the general principles of legal theory and the system of legal norms that regulates the position of a person in society and the state, will know the basics of legal theory.
Skills:		Ability to analyse, synthesise and evaluate basic questions of the theory of law, as well as to solve practical issues. Ability to put knowledge into practice - to identify and solve practical issues related to matters of the theory of law. Ability to communicate on issues of the theory of law using appropriate terminology. Guidance towards further learning skills - to select and evaluate sources of literature on the theory of law, to be able to apply normative acts on the completed study course.
Competencies:		Ability to use methods of law interpretation, to use knowledge and skills for professional and personal development. Application of legal norms (in theory of law and other fields) not only “mechanically” but in accordance with the public interest and priorities, thus synthesising the skills to work with the legislative base and understanding of law in general. To offer formal solutions to the issues in the field and provide solutions that serve the needs and priorities of the public (local community) and improve public administration as a whole.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Required Reading
1	Latvijas Republikas Satversme: LR likums. Latvijas Vēstnesis, 1993, Nr. 43.
2	Iesniegumu likums: LR likums. Latvijas Vēstnesis, 2007, Nr.164.
3	Cipeliuss R. Tiesību būtība. Rīga, LU, 2001.
4	Jakubaņečs V. Tiesiskā apziņa. Rīga, P&K, 2001.
Additional Reading
1	Akmentiņš R. Tiesību zinātne.Rīga, LU, 1927.
2	Rakstu krājums. Mūsdienu tiesību teorijas atziņas. Rīga, TNA, 1999.