About this course
Does the law protect or undermine our freedom? Which legal doctrines govern our speech, assembly, property, and personal autonomy?
This course offers the opportunity to explore these questions and more through an introduction to the legal dimensions of freedom. You will journey from philosophical foundations - negative and positive liberty, republican theories, and the rule of law - to concrete frameworks in areas such as civil liberties, economic rights, and digital autonomy. Throughout the course, you will sharpen your legal research and critical analysis skills, engage with case studies and simulations, and produce essays that interrogate how concepts of liberty shape contemporary law.
This 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.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will:
- Be able to demonstrate an understanding of key philosophical and legal theories of liberty.
- Be able to analyse and evaluate how the law may protect or limit freedom of speech, assembly, property, and personal autonomy.
- Develop a critical vocabulary to discuss contemporary debates including topics such as negative and positive freedom, civil liberties, and economic rights.
- Gain skills in analysing legal research and case studies, and developing and communicating coherent arguments.
Who is this course suitable for?
This 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.
Dates and availability
Available as a Residential course on the following dates:
Session 1: 29th June - 17th July 2026