This text lays out a course of study combining the traditional subject matter of jurisprudence with a series of introductions to a variety of other theoretical perspectives. It is designed for those taking jurisprudence/legal theory courses, and political science, philosophy and sociology students.

Understanding Jurisprudence explores the concept of law and its role within society. Detailing both the traditional and modern jurisprudential theories Raymond Wacks clearly relates these often complex arguments to the nature and purpose of our current legal systems. This book reveals the intriguing and challenging nature of jurisprudence with clarity and enthusiasm. Without avoiding the complexities and subtleties of the subject, the author provides an illuminating guide to the central questions of legal theory. An experienced teacher of jurisprudence and distinguished writer in the field, his approach is stimulating, accessible, and entertaining.

If Raz and Dworkin disagree over how law should be characterised,how are we, their jurisprudential public, supposed to go about adjudicating between the rival theories which they offer us? To what considerations would those theorists themselves appeal in order to convince us that their accounts of law are accurate and successful? Moreover, what is it that makes an account of law successful? Evaluation and Legal Theory tackles methodological or meta-theoretical issues such as these, and does so via attempting to answer the question: to what extent, and in what sense, must a legal theorist make value judgements about his data in order to construct a successful theory of law? Dispelling the obfuscatory myth that legal positivism seeks a 'value-free' account of law, the author attempts to explain and defend Joseph Razs position that evaluation is essential to successful legal theory, whilst refuting John Finnis and Ronald Dworkins contentions that the legal theorist must morally evaluate and morally justify the law in order to properly explain its nature. The book does not claim to solve the many mysteries of meta-legal theory but does seek to contribute to and engender rigorous and focused debate on this topic.

This text presents cutting edge contemporary materials, as well as new chapters on Natural Law, Positivism, Gay Legal Rights and Critical Lawyering. The book offers comprehensive coverage of legal theory from traditional to current movements, including new materials on Legal Formalism, Legal Process, Latino Critical, and Queer Critical Theory. Also contains extensive readings and updated and amplified notes, questions, problems, and bibliographies.

Jurisprudence: Outlines, Diagrams, and Study Sheets is a collection of outlines and diagrams as an aid to the study of Jurisprudence and Legal Theory. Designed to help you get the big picture of the theories, jurists, and philosophical and historical background of the subject. Use the diagrams to see an overall picture of each subtopic before you begin reading your texts, to organize your notes, and to review and revise. Prepare for your exams by using them to test your knowledge on the details. This book covers the following topics: Introduction to Jurisprudence The Nature of Legal Theory Hobbes, Bentham, and Austin: Imperative Theory Natural Law Theory HLA Hart's The Concept of Law The Rule of Recognition Hart's Defenses Against Natural Law Theory and Fuller Raz's Theory of Law: Service Conception Practical Reason Kelsen's Theory of Law: Norms and Delicts Dworkin's Theory of Law Marxism and Marxist Legal Theory Liberalism Feminist Legal Theory Part of the Legal Yankee VisuaLaw Series, this study aid joins the others in the series on Introduction to the Common Law, Criminal Law, Con and Admin Law, Contract Law, Law of Tort, Property Law, and Commercial Law: Diagrams for Law Students. Visit www.legalyankee.com for more information.

This is the most up-to-date comprehensive survey of the best work in analytic jurisprudence from Austin to the present, including contributions from the latest generation's brightest legal theorists. It begins with the earliest writings in natural law theory and positivism, tracing the history of the debate through the Hart-Fuller and Hart-Dworkin disputes to the current debates. The last third of the volume is devoted to the most influential papers on the hottest contemporary issues. The approach is analytic and hands-on. It seeks to motivate interest in foundational questions of law while simultaneously developing the skills the aspiring lawyer must have to succeed in the practice of law. To develop the student's ability to theorize on questions in analytic jurisprudence by providing a firm historical foundation before immersing her in the contemporary debates, where she will participate in the conversation. The book improves on existing text offerings in a number of respects. It provides the most comprehensive view of the field. The analytic approach is ascendant among researchers in law schools and philosophy departments worldwide who study the issues covered in this text. Accordingly, it is fair to say that this book provides, far and away, the most up-to-date and accurate snapshot of the work being done in conceptual issues regarding law so much so that it is suitable for use as a sourcebook for beginning research. Unlike the methodology of continental philosophy, the analytic methodology used in all the essays in this text employs the very same skills that a young lawyer is expected to have, and will deepen the law students' argumentative and verbal abilities.

Explores the relationship between law and justice

The Oxford Handbook of Jurisprudence and Philosophy of Law brings together specially commissioned essays by twenty-six of the foremost legal theorists currently writing, to provide a state-of-the-art overview of jurisprudential scholarship.

Western Legal Theory: History, Concepts and Perspectives enable readers to gain a holistic appreciation of the law by presenting a broad collection of ideas concerning the nature of law. The author draws from a number of social disciplines to provide a rounded sense of what law really is and how it should work in society. The text discusses a wide range of theories and theorists, and also traces the historical developments of Western legal thought from ancient times to the present day. With a focus on the historical and contemporary role of philosophy in the interpretation of law, Western Legal Theory: History, Concepts and Perspectives provide a fascinating insight into the development of law and a comprehensive analysis of current legal thought. It is ideal for students of legal theory and jurisprudence, legal history, political philosophy, and legal practitioners and general readers interested in the theories underpinning our legal institutions and framework.