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The Moral Life of the Law Summer Course in Oxford Ages 19+

What kinds of people, values, and relationships does Law assume?

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The Moral Life of the Law Summer Course in Oxford Ages 19+

Course Summary

What kinds of people, values, and relationships does Law assume? What is the Law's vision of the good life? Whose morality counts? This course explores Law and legal doctrine not as a neutral instrument but as a moral architecture.

What kinds of people, values, and relationships does Law assume? What is the Law's vision of the good life? Whose morailty counts? This course explores Law and legal doctrine not as a neutral instrument but as a moral architecture.

We will begin with the foundation of Law, personhood, and responsibility, considering natural law, legal positivism, and the justification of state authority. We will proceed to examine the notions of autonomy, Justice, and moral disobedience, investigating whether it can be morally justified to break the law, and how the law can address human dignity, inclusion, and equality. The course concludes by looking at the connetcions between law and citizenship, evaluating whether law can be both morally grounded and democratically plural.

Join this course for a wide-ranging introduction to the moral life of the law, equipping yourself with skills of critical analysis and nuanced evaluation of vital topics of our time.

LMH Oxford Summer Programmes

This course is part of the programme

LMH Oxford Summer Programmes

Lady Margaret Hall
Experience Oxford University’s world-renowned tutorial teaching system, explore fascinating subjects with experts in the field, and gain new skills to take you further in your future academic or professional career.
Learn more about this programme

Course Highlights

  • Live and study in Lady Margaret Hall, one of Oxford's finest colleges
  • Learn from experienced academics using the tutorial system
  • Enjoy meals in hall, experiencing life as an Oxford student
  • Gain new skills to take you further in your future academic or professional career.

What's included

  • All tuition, including lectures, seminars, and tutorials
  • Assessment, transcript of academic performance, and certificate
  • A co-curricular programme of skills workshops and guest speakers
  • Access to the Lady Margaret Hall College Library
  • Bed & Breakfast accommodation in a single bedroom throughout your programme
  • Lunch and dinner in the College Dining Hall Monday to Friday
  • A full Social & Cultural Programme, including two excursions to other English cities per three-week programme session
  • A high-quality printed class photograph
  • Formal Graduation banquet

Who it's for

Subject levelIntermediate
English levelMinimum IELTS 7.0 or equivalent
Tuition33
Class size12 Students per Seminar; 4 Students per Tutorial
Student age19+
Ideal studentThis course would suit students in a range of disciplines including Law, Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. The course would be especially beneficial for students looking ahead to postgraduate study in Law, or to careers or further study in Law, Politics, or Public Policy.

Likely outcomes

  • Be able to demonstrate an understanding of foundational legal theories related to personhood, responsibility, and the moral basis of law.
  • Be able to analyse and evaluate the ethical dimensions of legal obedience and disobedience.
  • Develop a critical vocabulary to discuss contemporary debates around autonomy, justice, dignity, and equality.
  • Gain skills in analysing legal research and case studies, and developing and communicating coherent arguments.

Available Sessions

Compare available dates, duration, campus, fees and availability. Open a session for accommodation details.

Programme sessions with dates, duration, campus, price, availability and accommodation details.
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Next available sessions

Lady Margaret Hall University of Oxford
Lady Margaret Hall University of Oxford

Lady Margaret Hall University of Oxford

A pioneering and historic college of the University of Oxford with its own intellectually-challenging summer school, taught by academics of the University itself.

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Campus

Lady Margaret Hall

Lady Margaret Hall

Located near the city centre, Lady Margaret Hall is within an easy walking distance of the main city attractions.

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Send an enquiry and we will help confirm sessions, dates, fees and availability.

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FAQ's

Where will I be staying?

Lady Margaret Hall (or ‘LMH’ as it is known to Oxford students) will be your home away from home. Set amongst 13 acres of beautiful gardens and located about 15 minutes’ walk from the lively city centre, LMH students benefit from access to a world-class library as well as gorgeous grounds for a game of croquet with friends, a tennis match on our courts, or even a dreamy punt along the River Cherwell.

When you enrol in our courses at LMH, you will stay on-site in our College accommodation, which is usually occupied by undergraduate students at LMH during term time. All student rooms are located within just a few minutes’ walking distance to everywhere in the college.

You can choose to stay in an en-suite room with private bathroom or a standard room with a shared bathroom, both of which are single occupancy. You will be asked to choose your preferred type of rooms in the application form, but the final allocation will be subject to our real-time room availability.  Each room in LMH is comfortably furnished and designed to provide a quiet, personal space for rest and study. This includes a personal desk, ensuring a space for private study throughout your stay. Bedding and towels are provided, with regular servicing from our Housekeeping team, known as ‘Scouts’. Laundry and drying machines are also available on site.

How many hours of tuition are provided?

33

What level of English do I need?

To participate fully in the programme all students will need to have proficiency in English. Students who are not native English speakers must demonstrate their English proficiency with one of the following: - TOEFL iBT score of 98 - - IELTS score of 7.0 (no less than 6.5 in each component) - Duolingo English Test score of 125 (no less than 115 in each section) - Cambridge English Scale score of 185 If you are taught primarily in English at your home university, we may be able to waive the requirement for an English language proficiency certificate. If this applies to you, please contact us for further information. If you have proof of English language proficiency which is not listed above, but which you would like us to consider, please contact vacation.programmes@lmh.ox.ac.uk.

What supervision is provided?

The Residential Advisors, our team of Oxford University graduate students, are your go-to guides for making new friends, discovering the city, and immersing yourself in the vibrant Oxford student experience.

Are airport transfers provided?

Lady Margaret Hall offers a coach service between London Heathrow Airport and Lady Margaret Hall on the arrival and departure days included in the Programme Fee.

Is course insurance provided?

No, students are required to arrange their own comprehensive travel insurance.

Will I get a certificate?

Students on the LMH Oxford Summer Programmes are awarded a Programme certificate and an Academic Transcript detailing their assessed work.

LMH Oxford Summer Programmes are designed to be eligible for academic credit, and many students have successfully earned academic credit by studying on an LMH Summer Programme. As a guide, we recommend the award of 15 CATS / 7.5 ECTS / 4 US Credits for each 3-week course. Lady Margaret Hall will provide a transcript of your assessed work, and can send this directly to your home institution if requested.

What visa do I need?

You can check the British Government’s guide to find out whether you will need a visa (please select your nationality, “study”, and “less than 6 months”). Upon securing your place you will be issued a Study Visitor Letter which provides information in support of your entry to the UK as a visitor and which you can include with your visitor visa application if required.

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