Theory and philosophy of law WP-PRZ-TiFP
The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the basic concepts and issues in the theory and philosophy of law, as well as to develop their ability to apply fundamental legal-theoretical categories in the analysis of law. Upon completion of the course, students should understand the fundamental principles underlying the most important concepts of law, recognize and characterize legal norms and systems, and explain the mechanisms of lawmaking, interpretation, and application. The course also aims to prepare students to critically analyze legal arguments and to recognize the axiological and theoretical determinants of the process of lawmaking and application.
(in Polish) Dyscyplina naukowa, do której odnoszą się efekty uczenia się
(in Polish) E-Learning
Term 2019/20_L: (in Polish) E-Learning | Term 2021/22_L: (in Polish) E-Learning (pełny kurs) z podziałem na grupy | Term 2023/24_Z: (in Polish) E-Learning (pełny kurs) z podziałem na grupy | Term 2024/25_Z: (in Polish) E-Learning (pełny kurs) z podziałem na grupy | Term 2025/26_Z: (in Polish) E-Learning (pełny kurs) z podziałem na grupy | Term 2026/27_Z: (in Polish) E-Learning (pełny kurs) z podziałem na grupy |
(in Polish) Grupa przedmiotów ogólnouczenianych
Course coordinators
Term 2026/27_Z: | Term 2023/24_Z: | Term 2025/26_Z: | Term 2024/25_Z: | Term 2019/20_L: | Term 2021/22_L: |
(in Polish) Liczba punktów ErEs (JD)
(in Polish) Opis nakładu pracy studenta w ECTS
Subject level
(in Polish) Punkty ECTS
Learning outcome code/codes
Type of subject
Learning outcomes
EK1 – KNOWLEDGE: understands and describes the basic concepts of law, in particular positivist and non-positivist concepts of law, and presents their fundamental assumptions and differences.
EK2 – KNOWLEDGE: understands and explains the fundamental issues of the theory of legal norms, including the relationship between a legal provision and a legal norm, the structure of a legal norm, and the differences between legal rules and legal principles.
EK3 – KNOWLEDGE: understands and explains the fundamental issues concerning the legal system, its validity, the sources of law, and the process of lawmaking; and characterizes the fundamental features of civil law and common law.
EK4 – KNOWLEDGE: understands and characterizes the fundamental theories, types, and principles of legal interpretation; and explains the significance of interpretation for the process of applying the law.
EK5 – KNOWLEDGE: understands and explains the basic models of the application of law and the relationships between the creation, interpretation, application, and observance of law; is able to identify basic theoretical and legal issues related to these processes.
ECTS Description:
a) participation in lectures – 32 hours
b) exam preparation – 25 hours
c) independent reading of literature – 12 hours
d) preparation for classes and review of material – 6 hours
e) consultations – 0–2 hours
Total: 75–77 hours, corresponding to 3 ECTS credits.
Assessment criteria
The grade is based on the result of a written exam in the form of a multiple-choice test (100%), which includes knowledge-based questions and case study analysis questions, and will be administered via MS Teams.
Test grading scale:
95–100% correct answers – 5.0 (very good);
85–94% – 4.5 (good plus);
75–84% – 4.0 (good);
70–74% – 3.5 (satisfactory plus);
65–69% – 3.0 (satisfactory);
0–64% – 2.0 (unsatisfactory).
The exam assesses the degree to which the learning outcome PR_W01 has been achieved, particularly with regard to understanding the nature and significance of legal sciences, their relationship to other disciplines, and methods for defining basic concepts and institutions specific to law. The exam also assesses the ability to correctly use terminology specific to the theory and philosophy of law.
Satisfactory grade (3.0): The student has achieved the basic learning outcomes; is familiar with the most important terms and concepts of legal theory and philosophy, and is able to describe, at a basic level, selected legal concepts and issues concerning legal norms, the legal system, the creation, interpretation, and application of law.
Satisfactory Plus (3.5): The student has mastered knowledge beyond the basic level; correctly characterizes the most important concepts of law and is able to explain the fundamental relationships between legal norms, the legal system, and the creation, interpretation, and application of law.
Grade: Good (4.0): The student has mastered the intended learning outcomes well; independently characterizes and compares the most important concepts of law and correctly explains issues concerning legal norms, the legal system, the creation, interpretation, and application of law.
Grade: Good Plus (4.5): The student has mastered the intended learning outcomes very well; independently and accurately compares legal concepts, recognizes the connections between various issues in legal theory, and is able to apply the acquired knowledge to analyze the presented theoretical and legal problems.
Very Good (5.0): The student has fully achieved the intended learning outcomes; demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the concepts and issues in the theory and philosophy of law; independently analyzes and compares legal-theoretical positions; and accurately explains their significance for the creation, interpretation, and application of law.
Bibliography
Basic:
1. Artur Kotowski (red.), Wybrane zagadnienia teorii i filozofii prawa, wyd. 1 / 2021, Difin;
2. Materials provided by the instructor (MS Teams application).
Supplementary:
1. Krzysztof J. Kaleta, Artur Kotowski, Podstawy prawoznawstwa, wyd. 3 / 2024, Difin;
2. L. Morawski, Zasady wykładni prawa, Wyd. 3, Toruń 2014.
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Term 2025/26_Z:
None |
Additional information
Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: