New unit melds law, politics and philosophy

A new course unit at Charles Darwin University will encourage students to respond to some of the biggest questions of our time.

Lecturers in law, politics and philosophy have collaborated to create the “Law, Justice and the State” unit, which will be offered for the first time this semester.

The lecturers involved include Head of the School of Creative Arts and Humanities Professor Brian Mooney, Professor of political science Wayne Cristaudo, and senior lecturer in law Felicity Gerry QC.

Ms Gerry said the unit aimed to develop students’ research skills and would require them to respond to modern political and philosophical issues in a legal context.

She said topics could include revolution, terrorism, feminism, culture, history, and civilisation and modern conflict.

“The connective tissue between politics and law is philosophy, which is why we have collaborated on the creation and delivery of this unit,” Ms Gerry said.

The unit will cover justice and rationality, natural law theory, legal positivism, jurisprudence and the rule of law in varying contexts, and democracy and social justice.