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Jurisprudence Syllabus

Professor Rice 

Course #5333, Section 001
 

Faculty Office JRH-2420
Office Telephone: (918) 631-2456 
Home Telephone: (918) 225-1101 
E-mail: william-rice@utulsa.edu 		 Classroom 2442 
Time T-Th 5:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.

The text for this class is "Jurisprudence, Text and Readings on the Philosophy of Law (2nd Edition) edited by George C. Christie and Patrick H. Martin (West Pub. Co. 1995).  I have also provided you with numerous reference materials on my website in order to complement the readings in the text. These materials can be accessed at http://www.utulsa.edu/law/classes/rice. The site is still under construction, as I sometimes add materials to the site. If you do not have access to a computer capable of accessing the internet, please see me after class to make arraignments to obtain these hypertext files on disk.

The purpose of this class is not to "teach you the law," but rather to encourage you to become aware of the major philosophical approaches to the study and practice of law regardless of what the law is. It will not teach you how to draft a contract, write a statute, or prepare a civil complaint. However, it will look critically at how judges, legislators, and attorneys think about the law, make the law, and apply the law. I do not expect you to agree with all the various philosophies or approaches to law set out in the readings, and will consider you intellectually bankrupt if you do try to agree with them all. However, you should come away from this course with an understanding of the basic tenets of the philosophies we study, the ability to recognize these philosophies, and to think critically about what the law is and how the law is applied in particular circumstances. When it comes time to write that brief or persuade that judge to rule for your client, an understanding of the reasoning process and the ability to engage in critical thinking and analysis just might come in handy.

Grades: Your grade will be based upon your class attendance, preparation, and participation as well as your performance on the term paper or take home examination.  After two absences or two days on which you are not prepared to participate meaningfully in the class discussions, I reserve the option of reducing your grade in the class.  You have the option of writing a paper for this class or a take home final examination.  Those who turn in a paper on the last day of class will receive a grade in the class based upon their paper.  Those who do not turn in a paper on the last day of class will receive, on that day, a take home final examination which is due at 5:00 p.m. on the last day of finals.  Those who choose to take the final take home examination by not turning in a term paper on the last day of class will receive a grade based upon the final examination.  Active classroom participation is required.  Late examinations will be reduced by one letter grade for each day or portion of a day that it is late.

I have given you all my phone numbers so that you can call me when and if you need to. You may, and are encouraged, to call me whenever you wish.  Please feel free to contact me at home if you want to discuss anything with me, but be aware that I have teenage children and grandchildren in my home.  If I do not call you back, it is because I have not gotten your message, so please try again or send me an e-mail.  I read my e-mails regularly, so that is the most sure way to get a question or message to me.

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