Law with Philosophy (LWW1)

The new four-year interdisciplinary law degree sees the specialty of Law merged with an understanding of philosophy and ethics.

Curricular information is subject to change

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The programme is for students who wish to add to a profound understanding of Irish law along with a sustained course of study in Philosophy. The programme enables students to proceed to professional training as lawyers in Ireland and elsewhere. Through combining Law with Philosophy, it also provides an even broader range of career-relevant knoweldge, skills and experience. 



We aim for students to be active, motivated, autonomous learners who understand the social, cultural and political dimensions of law with the additional perspectives gained through their study of Philosophy. Gradautes will obtain the academic basis for a successful career in law as well as more widely applicable knowledge and skills. 



We strive for a learning environment that encourages students to work individually or as part of a team, so they can develop their own and others' leadership, teamwork and communication skills. Small group teaching, online collaboration and practice-based learning are key elements of this. Students have the options of spending a semester at one of the School's partner universities.



To these ends the programme uses teaching, learning and assessment approaches such as tutorials, seminars, supervised academic writing, work placement and simulations of professional practice.


1 - demonstrate specialised, detailed knowledge and understanding of the legal systems of Ireland and of the European Union.
2 - demonstrate specialised, detailed knowledge and understanding of the major debates in philosophy.
3 - apply their knowledge and understanding in a manner that indicates a professional approach to their specific work or vocation in the field of law and/or philosophy.
4 - gather and interpret the relevant data from a variety of sources, both legal and factual, to inform judgments on problems within the major branches of law and/or philosophical debates.
5 - make their own judgments, including the capacity to reflect on relevant political, social, economic, historical, or ethical issues associated with law and/or philosophy.
6 - communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions, considering the importance of legal and/or philosophical arguments in public policy debates, in an accessible and intelligible manner to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
7 - realise those learning skills that are necessary for them to continue to undertake further study with a high degree of autonomy.
8 - identify, in the field of legal scholarship, the relevant sources of law and commentary upon and analysis of it and to frame their own original legal arguments.
9 - identify, in the field of philosophy, the relevant sources of information and commentary upon and analysis of it and to frame their own original arguments.
This four-year interdisciplinary law degree sees the specialty of Law merged with an understanding of philosophy and ethics.

The objectives of the programme are to provide you with:

- A knowledge of the principles and rules of law

- An understanding of law in its broader philosophical / ethical context

- An understanding of the relationship between law and philosophy

You will learn the fundamental legal concepts and principles, cultivate an ability to analyse law and engage in legal reasoning, gain a critical understanding of how philosophy shapes and develops law and impart research skills in the fields of law and philosophy.
STAGE 1
Stage 1 of this four-year programme includes many of the core modules of the BCL programme: Law of Contract, Law of Tort and Constitutional Law. It also includes an introduction to a range of modules on Philosophy: Ancient, Modern, Eastern & Western, including problems of Philosophy, Ethics and Philosophical Anthropology.

STAGE 2
Stage 2 introduces you to Land Law, EU Law, Criminal Law and a number of optional modules from Law and Philosophy.

STAGES 3 & 4
Stages 3 and 4 are spent studying Jurisprudence, which is a core module, and a variety of optional and elective modules from the UCD Schools of Law and Philosophy. There is also an option to engage in a significant research project in lieu of one of the taught modules in the final stage.
You may apply to study abroad for either a semester or a year through the Erasmus programme or on a non-EU exchange. UCD has over 200 Erasmus partners in Europe and an increasing number of non-EU exchange agreements with universities in the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan and elsewhere.

Please visit the Erasmus section by clicking on the International Office link at the top of this page.
BCL (Law with Philosophy) students can choose to study the modules necessary for legal professional recognition, which enables them to pursue legal careers as solicitors or barristers.

Graduates are also ideally suited to careers in:
  • Legal research (e.g. at the Law Reform Commission)
  • Politics
  • Media
  • Diplomatic service
  • Academia

    Relevant graduate study programmes include LLM degrees in:
  • International Human Rights
  • European Law & Public Affairs
  • Legal Philosophy
  • UCD Law Programme Office,
    Roebuck Castle,
    Belfield,
    Dublin 4
    Tel: +353 1 716 8342/8754
    Email:law@ucd.ie
    Web:www.ucd.ie/blprogrammes

    Module ID Module Title Trimester Credits
    Stage 1 Core Modules Law with Philosophy
         
    LAW10050 Constitutional Law: Institutional Framework of the Constitution of Ireland Autumn 5
    LAW10190 Negligence and Related Matters Autumn 5
    LAW10270 Civil Procedure Autumn 5
    LAW10340 Contract: Formation Autumn 5
    LAW10420 Legal and Professional Skills Autumn 5
    LAW10060 Constitutional Law: Fundamental Rights under the Constitution of Ireland Spring 5
    LAW10200 Nominate Torts Spring 5
    LAW10350 Contract: Vitiating Factors and Remedies Spring 5
    LAW10360 General Introduction to the Irish Legal System Spring 5
    Stage 1 Core Modules Law with Philosophy
         
    Stage 1 Core Modules Philosophy
         
    PHIL10160 Critical Thinking Autumn 5
    Stage 1 Core Modules Philosophy
         
    Stage 1 Options - Philosophy A)MIN1OF:
    Students must choose one of the Philosophy Option Modules offered.
         
    PHIL10030 Introduction to Modern Philosophy Spring 5
    PHIL10070 The First Philosophers Spring 5
    PHIL10100 Existentialism and Humanism: An Introduction to Continental Philosophy Spring 5
    Stage 1 Options - Philosophy A)MIN1OF:
    Students must choose one of the Philosophy Option Modules offered.
         
    Stage 2 Core Modules Law with Philosophy
         
    LAW20330 EU Constitutional Law Autumn 5
    LAW20370 Property Law I Autumn 5
    LAW20390 Criminal Liability Autumn 5
    LAW20340 EU Economic Law Spring 5
    LAW20380 Property Law II Spring 5
    LAW20400 Criminal Offences and Defences Spring 5
    Stage 2 Core Modules Law with Philosophy
         
    Stage 2 Options - Law with Philosophy A)MIN0OF:
    You should choose both LAW20090 and LAW20170 instead of Electives to be compliant for the Irish Legal Professional Bodies.
         
    LAW20090 Company Law I Autumn 5
    LAW20170 Company Law II Spring 5
    Stage 2 Options - Law with Philosophy A)MIN0OF:
    You should choose both LAW20090 and LAW20170 instead of Electives to be compliant for the Irish Legal Professional Bodies.
         
    Stage 2 Options - Philosophy A)4OF:
    Select 4 of:
         
    PHIL20010 Rationalism and Empiricism Autumn 5
    PHIL20440 Feminism & Gender Justice Autumn 5
    PHIL20490 Knowledge & Scepticism Autumn 5
    PHIL20500 Phenomenology & Existentialism Autumn 5
    PHIL20630 Art and Society Autumn 5
    PHIL20710 Body, Mind, World Autumn 5
    PHIL20020 Logic Spring 5
    PHIL20240 Applied Ethics Spring 5
    PHIL20570 Philosophy & Literature Spring 5
    PHIL20580 Plato's Republic Spring 5
    PHIL20640 Philosophy of Mind Spring 5
    Stage 2 Options - Philosophy A)4OF:
    Select 4 of:
         
    Stage 3 Core Modules Philosophy
         
    PHIL30260 Philosophy of Law Autumn 5
    Stage 3 Core Modules Philosophy
         
    Stage 3 Options - Law with Philosophy A)MIN5OF:
    Choose six of the following, or five if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
         
    LAW37580 Research Module 10 cr 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 10
    LAW20090 Company Law I Autumn 5
    LAW30010 Banking Law Autumn 5
    LAW30060 Equity: History, Doctrines, Remedies Autumn 5
    LAW30070 Evidence - Foundations Autumn 5
    LAW30090 Revenue Law: Introduction to Revenue Law Autumn 5
    LAW30170 Employment Law: the Contract of Employment Autumn 5
    LAW30240 Administrative Law: Grounds of Review Autumn 5
    LAW30400 Matrimonial Law and Reliefs Autumn 5
    LAW30440 Environmental Law and Policy Autumn 5
    LAW30470 International Human Rights Law Autumn 5
    LAW30690 Advocacy and Mooting Autumn 5
    LAW30700 The Lawyer, Professional Ethics & Legal Practice Autumn 5
    LAW30730 Public International Law Autumn 5
    LAW30870 Patent Law and Trademarks Autumn 5
    LAW37470 Advanced International Law - The Law of Int Organisations Autumn 5
    LAW37530 Financial Law of the EU Autumn 5
    LAW37570 Insolvency Law Autumn 5
    LAW37590 International Economic Law Autumn 5
    LAW37670 Copyright Law Autumn 5
    LAW37700 Internet Law and Regulation Autumn 5
    LAW20170 Company Law II Spring 5
    LAW30160 Evidence - Practice and Principles Spring 5
    LAW30190 Media Law Spring 5
    LAW30230 Overview of Law Relating to Creation and Administration of Trusts Spring 5
    LAW30290 Administrative Law: Remedies for Unlawful Administrative Action Spring 5
    LAW30310 European Human Rights Law Spring 5
    LAW30450 Family and Child Law Spring 5
    LAW30530 Criminological Theory Spring 5
    LAW30610 Commercial Law Spring 5
    LAW30820 Private International Law Spring 5
    LAW37430 Jury Trials Spring 5
    LAW37460 Planning Law Spring 5
    LAW37600 Migration Law Spring 5
    LAW37610 Medical Law Spring 5
    LAW37630 Law in the Classroom Spring 5
    LAW37680 BCL Internship Spring 30
    LAW37710 Applied Legal Skills Spring 5
    Stage 3 Options - Law with Philosophy A)MIN5OF:
    Choose six of the following, or five if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
         
    Stage 3 Options - Philosophy A)MIN1OF:
    Students must select a minimum of one level 3 module from the following list:
         
    PHIL30280 Philosophy of Interpretation Autumn 5
    PHIL30490 History of Ethics: Eighteenth Century Autumn 5
    PHIL30590 Aristotle: Ethics & Politics Autumn 5
    PHIL30880 Applied Epistemology Autumn 5
    PHIL30900 Personal Identity Autumn 5
    PHIL30070 Philosophy of Language Spring 5
    PHIL30520 Philosophy of Religion Spring 5
    PHIL30650 History & Philosophy: Nazi Germany Spring 5
    PHIL30870 Philosophy of Fiction Spring 5
    PHIL30890 Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations Spring 5
    PHIL30910 Irish Enlightenment Spring 5
    Stage 3 Options - Philosophy A)MIN1OF:
    Students must select a minimum of one level 3 module from the following list:
         
    Stage 3 Options - Philosophy B)MIN0OF:
    Students may either select a further two level 2 modules from the list below OR from the list of level 3 modules above.
         
    PHIL20010 Rationalism and Empiricism Autumn 5
    PHIL20440 Feminism & Gender Justice Autumn 5
    PHIL20490 Knowledge & Scepticism Autumn 5
    PHIL20500 Phenomenology & Existentialism Autumn 5
    PHIL20630 Art and Society Autumn 5
    PHIL20710 Body, Mind, World Autumn 5
    PHIL20020 Logic Spring 5
    PHIL20240 Applied Ethics Spring 5
    PHIL20570 Philosophy & Literature Spring 5
    PHIL20580 Plato's Republic Spring 5
    PHIL20640 Philosophy of Mind Spring 5
    Stage 3 Options - Philosophy B)MIN0OF:
    Students may either select a further two level 2 modules from the list below OR from the list of level 3 modules above.
         
    Stage 4 Core Modules Law with Philosophy
         
    LAW30180 Jurisprudence Autumn 5
    Stage 4 Core Modules Law with Philosophy
         
    Stage 4 Options - Law with Philosophy A)MIN4OF:
    Choose five of the following, or four if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
         
    LAW37580 Research Module 10 cr 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 10
    LAW30010 Banking Law Autumn 5
    LAW30060 Equity: History, Doctrines, Remedies Autumn 5
    LAW30070 Evidence - Foundations Autumn 5
    LAW30090 Revenue Law: Introduction to Revenue Law Autumn 5
    LAW30170 Employment Law: the Contract of Employment Autumn 5
    LAW30240 Administrative Law: Grounds of Review Autumn 5
    LAW30400 Matrimonial Law and Reliefs Autumn 5
    LAW30440 Environmental Law and Policy Autumn 5
    LAW30470 International Human Rights Law Autumn 5
    LAW30640 Competition Law in Practice Autumn 5
    LAW30690 Advocacy and Mooting Autumn 5
    LAW30700 The Lawyer, Professional Ethics & Legal Practice Autumn 5
    LAW30730 Public International Law Autumn 5
    LAW30870 Patent Law and Trademarks Autumn 5
    LAW37470 Advanced International Law - The Law of Int Organisations Autumn 5
    LAW37530 Financial Law of the EU Autumn 5
    LAW37570 Insolvency Law Autumn 5
    LAW37590 International Economic Law Autumn 5
    LAW37670 Copyright Law Autumn 5
    LAW37700 Internet Law and Regulation Autumn 5
    LAW30160 Evidence - Practice and Principles Spring 5
    LAW30190 Media Law Spring 5
    LAW30230 Overview of Law Relating to Creation and Administration of Trusts Spring 5
    LAW30290 Administrative Law: Remedies for Unlawful Administrative Action Spring 5
    LAW30310 European Human Rights Law Spring 5
    LAW30450 Family and Child Law Spring 5
    LAW30530 Criminological Theory Spring 5
    LAW30550 Legal History: The History of Public Law Spring 5
    LAW30570 Contemporary Issues in Law and Politics Spring 5
    LAW30610 Commercial Law Spring 5
    LAW30820 Private International Law Spring 5
    LAW37430 Jury Trials Spring 5
    LAW37460 Planning Law Spring 5
    LAW37600 Migration Law Spring 5
    LAW37610 Medical Law Spring 5
    LAW37630 Law in the Classroom Spring 5
    LAW37710 Applied Legal Skills Spring 5
    Stage 4 Options - Law with Philosophy A)MIN4OF:
    Choose five of the following, or four if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
         
    Stage 4 Options - Philosophy A)4OF:
    Choose four modules from the list below. Students who were on trimester exchange in Stage 3 must choose PHIL30260.
    For PHIL30550 Honours Seminar, selection is based on GPA in Philosophy. Please email philosophy@ucd.ie to apply
         
    PHIL30260 Philosophy of Law Autumn 5
    PHIL30280 Philosophy of Interpretation Autumn 5
    PHIL30490 History of Ethics: Eighteenth Century Autumn 5
    PHIL30590 Aristotle: Ethics & Politics Autumn 5
    PHIL30880 Applied Epistemology Autumn 5
    PHIL30920 Training as a Philosophy Researcher Part 1 Autumn 5
    PHIL30520 Philosophy of Religion Spring 5
    PHIL30650 History & Philosophy: Nazi Germany Spring 5
    PHIL30870 Philosophy of Fiction Spring 5
    PHIL30890 Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations Spring 5
    PHIL30930 Training as a Philosophy Researcher Part 2 Spring 5
    Stage 4 Options - Philosophy A)4OF:
    Choose four modules from the list below. Students who were on trimester exchange in Stage 3 must choose PHIL30260.
    For PHIL30550 Honours Seminar, selection is based on GPA in Philosophy. Please email philosophy@ucd.ie to apply
         
    See the UCD Assessment website for further details

    Module Weighting Info  
      Award GPA
    Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
    BHLAW004 Stage 3 - 50.00%
    Stage 2 - 50.00%
    Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

    3.68

    4.20

    Second Class Honours, Grade 1

    3.08

    3.67

    Second Class Honours, Grade 2

    2.48

    3.07

    Pass

    2.00

    2.47

    BHLAW013 Stage 4 - 50.00%
    Stage 3 - 50.00%
    Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

    3.68

    4.20

    Second Class Honours, Grade 1

    3.08

    3.67

    Second Class Honours, Grade 2

    2.48

    3.07

    Pass

    2.00

    2.47


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