We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Legal Reasoning

Save

Legal reasoning is a set of logical and analytical skills that lawyers and legal professionals use to interpret and apply the law. It is a fundamental part of legal education and practice, and it is essential for anyone who wants to understand how the law works.

Why Study Legal Reasoning?

There are many reasons why someone might want to study legal reasoning. Some people study it to prepare for a career in law, while others study it to improve their understanding of the legal system. Still others study it simply out of curiosity, to learn more about how the law works.

Regardless of your reasons for studying legal reasoning, there are many benefits to doing so. Legal reasoning can help you to:

  • Develop critical thinking skills
  • Improve your analytical skills
  • Understand how the law works
  • Apply the law to real-world situations
  • Develop problem-solving skills
  • Communicate more effectively
  • Prepare for a career in law
  • Become a more informed citizen

What You Will Learn in a Legal Reasoning Course

Legal reasoning courses typically cover a wide range of topics, including:

Read more

Legal reasoning is a set of logical and analytical skills that lawyers and legal professionals use to interpret and apply the law. It is a fundamental part of legal education and practice, and it is essential for anyone who wants to understand how the law works.

Why Study Legal Reasoning?

There are many reasons why someone might want to study legal reasoning. Some people study it to prepare for a career in law, while others study it to improve their understanding of the legal system. Still others study it simply out of curiosity, to learn more about how the law works.

Regardless of your reasons for studying legal reasoning, there are many benefits to doing so. Legal reasoning can help you to:

  • Develop critical thinking skills
  • Improve your analytical skills
  • Understand how the law works
  • Apply the law to real-world situations
  • Develop problem-solving skills
  • Communicate more effectively
  • Prepare for a career in law
  • Become a more informed citizen

What You Will Learn in a Legal Reasoning Course

Legal reasoning courses typically cover a wide range of topics, including:

  • The nature of law
  • The sources of law
  • The structure of legal arguments
  • The principles of legal interpretation
  • The application of law to real-world situations
  • The role of lawyers in the legal system
  • The ethics of legal practice

In addition to these core topics, many legal reasoning courses also cover specialized topics, such as:

  • Constitutional law
  • Criminal law
  • Civil procedure
  • Evidence
  • Contracts
  • Torts
  • Property law
  • Business law
  • International law

How to Study Legal Reasoning

There are many different ways to study legal reasoning. Some people prefer to read textbooks and articles, while others prefer to attend lectures and participate in discussions. Still others prefer to learn by doing, and they may choose to volunteer with a legal aid organization or intern at a law firm.

No matter how you choose to study legal reasoning, it is important to be consistent with your studies and to set aside time each week to review the material.

Careers in Legal Reasoning

There are many different careers that require legal reasoning skills. Some of the most common include:

  • Lawyer
  • Judge
  • Legal assistant
  • Paralegal
  • Policy analyst
  • Compliance officer
  • Lobbyist
  • Journalist
  • Teacher
  • Consultant

Legal reasoning skills are also valuable in many other fields, such as business, finance, and government.

Online Courses in Legal Reasoning

There are many different online courses that can help you to learn about legal reasoning. These courses can be a great way to get started with your studies, or they can be used to supplement your existing knowledge.

Some of the most popular online courses in legal reasoning include:

  • Introduction to Legal Reasoning from Coursera
  • Legal Reasoning from edX
  • Legal Reasoning and Analysis from FutureLearn
  • Legal Reasoning and Problem Solving from Udemy
  • Legal Reasoning for Business Professionals from Harvard Business School Online

These courses can teach you the basics of legal reasoning, as well as more advanced topics. They can also help you to develop the critical thinking and analytical skills that are essential for a successful career in law or any other field.

Conclusion

Legal reasoning is a valuable skill that can be used in many different careers. If you are interested in learning more about the law, or if you are simply looking to improve your critical thinking and analytical skills, then studying legal reasoning is a great option.

With the help of online courses, you can learn about legal reasoning at your own pace and on your own schedule. These courses can provide you with the foundation you need to succeed in law school or in any other career that requires legal reasoning skills.

However, it is important to remember that online courses alone are not enough to fully understand legal reasoning. To truly master this skill, you will need to supplement your studies with additional resources, such as textbooks, articles, and practice problems. You may also want to consider taking a legal reasoning course at a local college or university.

With hard work and dedication, you can develop the legal reasoning skills that you need to succeed in your career.

Path to Legal Reasoning

Take the first step.
We've curated two courses to help you on your path to Legal Reasoning. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
Sorted from most relevant to least relevant:

Share

Help others find this page about Legal Reasoning: by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Legal Reasoning.
A comprehensive and authoritative collection of essays on legal reasoning, this handbook provides a state-of-the-art overview of the subject, covering a wide range of topics and perspectives.
An engaging and thought-provoking introduction to the art of legal reasoning, acclaimed legal scholar Frederick Schauer provides a comprehensive overview of the cognitive and analytical tools used by lawyers.
A leading work in French legal theory, 'Logique du droit' offers a rigorous and systematic exploration of the logical foundations of legal reasoning, examining the concepts of legal concepts, legal rules, and legal argumentation.
An accessible exploration of complex legal concepts and theories, renowned philosopher David Lyons explores the nature of law and jurisprudence, and how we reason about legal concepts.
A classic work in German legal theory, 'Die juristische Methodenlehre' provides a comprehensive and detailed analysis of legal methodology, including legal reasoning, legal interpretation, and the sources of law.
A clear and engaging introduction to the major theories and concepts in legal theory, Marmor provides a comprehensive overview of the subject, covering topics such as the nature of law, legal reasoning, and the relationship between law and morality.
A practical and applied approach to legal reasoning, Burns provides a step-by-step guide to the process of legal reasoning and decision-making, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and analytical skills.
A practical and engaging introduction to legal reasoning, Blum provides a hands-on approach to understanding and applying legal principles, through the use of real-world examples and case studies.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser