Choosign between Philosophy and Legal Science (2nd year)

Euskadi1888

Don't really want to do either but have to pick one.

I actually really enjoyed the Practical Ethics exam in Philosophy, but I can't stand a lot of the rest of it, studying absurdly vague or far fetched theories and stuffs.

Legal Science was alright but obviously Law is a bit daunting. On a moral level I dislike the way a lot of the legal system seems to be people taking advantage of loopholes and getting away with things on a technicality because everything has to be so ridiculously worded, it's definitely not something I'd want to get involved in.

At the moment I'm leaning toward Law because it just seems a lot more useful. Has anyone here done either of these in 2nd Arts and could shed any light on them, what the topics are and stuff? I suppose any insight into 3rd Year would be beneficial too.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

Euskadi1888 wrote: »

Don't really want to do either but have to pick one.

Why do you have to do one if you don't like either?

Manco

I've just finished Second Year Philosophy.

I really enjoyed the Political Philosophy part of the course, but the rest of the course is fairly heavy on the history of Philosophy, which, apart from the History of Irish Thought, I didn't find that interesting; like yourself, I'd be more interested in the practical/ethical stuff . Also, Philosophy of Language is fairly straightforward, but it does take a while to get your head around the concepts; if you skip the lectures and tutorials, you're screwed!:pac:

ValJester

Just finished my BA in Philosophy.I'd say it's well worth keeping on, although be careful which lecture modules you choose-some of the lecturers are a lot more engaging than others,and that does make a huge difference.

Euskadi1888

Is there any importance in picking a subject that compliments the other one you are choosing? If so, I'm doing IT as well.

The Law faculty sent me a letter asking whether or not I wish to continue with it next year, and it's due on the 1st. I was under the impression that this would all be done online what with it being 2011 and all. Would be answer to this letter be concrete or should I just send it back saying Yes for the mean time.

Foreverdelayed

Euskadi1888 wrote: »

Don't really want to do either but have to pick one.

I actually really enjoyed the Practical Ethics exam in Philosophy, but I can't stand a lot of the rest of it, studying absurdly vague or far fetched theories and stuffs.

Legal Science was alright but obviously Law is a bit daunting. On a moral level I dislike the way a lot of the legal system seems to be people taking advantage of loopholes and getting away with things on a technicality because everything has to be so ridiculously worded, it's definitely not something I'd want to get involved in.

At the moment I'm leaning toward Law because it just seems a lot more useful. Has anyone here done either of these in 2nd Arts and could shed any light on them, what the topics are and stuff? I suppose any insight into 3rd Year would be beneficial too.

Im going into 3rd year Arts come September with Legal Science as one of my subjects, so hopefully I can be of some help:D

There are two core subjects which you do both semesters; Tort Law and Constitutional. I really liked Constitutional Law, the lecturer was really good and was always encouraging discussion in class on issues such as Right to life, right to die, citizenship etc. Tort was ok, pretty interesting but the lecturer wasn't great. Tort is a BIG subject including topics like negligence, duty of care, liability etc.

In both semesters you get to choose one extra module out of a choice of 3 or 4. I did Media Law in the first and Entertainment Law in the second as they were both relevant to each other. Can't really say much about the others but iirc they were something like Human Rights, Medical Law, law of the sea and a few others.

Exams weren't as bad as I expected. The lecturers give you pretty strong hints and its just a matter of learning off questions and relevant cases.

All in all its a good subject, tricky at times but not overly difficult.:D

Euskadi1888

Thanks lad, I'm definitely leaning more toward Law. I'm a semi intelligent person when I put my mind to it, and will be prescribing myself a dose of cop-on next year anyway so hopefully I'll do well. Plus at least I'll be able to defend myself if I ever end up in court

Lockstep

+1 for Legal Science, just graduated in it.

2nd year LS is great, as ForeverDelayed says, Constitutional is excellent. Lecturer is really good as well.
Tort is a bit less interesting. It's private law and mainly people sueing each other. Negligence, defamation etc.

Optional modules are mixed enough. I did International human rights and it was brilliant. Law of the Sea, less so. I didn't do European Human Rights but the lecturer is excellent, had him for other classes.

Final year LS is a mixed bag. Criminal law is brilliant stuff, company law is reptitition and EU law involves a lot of politics and history.
If you put in the work, it's a good subject. I got a 1st class honours and did it while keeping up a lot of extracurriculars. One of the main things to keep in mind is case law: once you enter 2nd year referring to different cases is the only way to get a high mark.

Euskadi1888

Did ye get this letter during the summer asking you if you want to continue? I'm just going to email them and see if that will do, seems such a waste of resources doing it all by snailmail. Save the trees man.

Boyleover

Euskadi1888 wrote: »

Don't really want to do either but have to pick one.

I actually really enjoyed the Practical Ethics exam in Philosophy, but I can't stand a lot of the rest of it, studying absurdly vague or far fetched theories and stuffs.

Legal Science was alright but obviously Law is a bit daunting. On a moral level I dislike the way a lot of the legal system seems to be people taking advantage of loopholes and getting away with things on a technicality because everything has to be so ridiculously worded, it's definitely not something I'd want to get involved in.

At the moment I'm leaning toward Law because it just seems a lot more useful. Has anyone here done either of these in 2nd Arts and could shed any light on them, what the topics are and stuff? I suppose any insight into 3rd Year would be beneficial too.

Tough choice, if you really don't fancy either for long term I would probably go with the philosophy as it really helps open your mind to new ways of thinking and seeing things, (not so much learning things for the sake of it) whereas if you go with the law side and have no intention of continuing it, then it really is just more clogged up facts in your brain and you are just teaching yourself stuff for the short term like trying to learn of equations that you might never use. Just my thoughts on it. Sounds like you will do well either way!