Understanding Jurisprudence An Introduction to Legal Theory

Written with students in mind, Professor Raymond Wacks brings legal theory to life through his lucid and entertaining style. The author has crafted a manageable guide, balancing concise introductions to the key theorists and core issues such as punishment and rights without ignoring the subtleties of the subject. Seminal quotes from leading scholars are included to help students recognise the impact of their work, while extensive further reading suggestions at the end of each chapter invite students to explore the broad range of literature available on central topics. Each chapter concludes with a series of critical questions designed to encourage the reader to think analytically about the law and the key debates which surround it. Digital formats and resources The sixth edition is available for students and institutions to purchase in a variety of formats, and is supported by online resources. - The e-book offers a mobile experience and convenient access along with functionality tools, navigation features, and links that offer extra learning support: www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooks A range of resources for this book are available online: - Self-test questions with instant feedback - Interactive flashcards of key glossary terms - Guidance and advice on studying jurisprudence - Links to useful websites - Further reading suggestions

1 - What's it all about?
2 - Natural law and morality
3 - Classical legal positivism
4 - Modern legal positivism
5 - Dworkin and law's moral claims
6 - Legal realism
7 - Law and social theory
8 - Historical and anthropological jurisprudence
9 - Theories of justice
10 - Rights
11 - Why obey the law?
12 - Why punish?
13 - Critical legal theory
14 - Feminist theory

Professor Raymond Wacks has taught jurisprudence around the world for over thirty years. He has published more than twenty books and numerous articles on legal philosophy, the right of privacy, and human and animal rights. His books have been translated into several languages including Arabic, Greek, Turkish, Chinese, Italian, Indonesian, Japanese, Thai, and Georgian.