Course Listing

The Trial of Jesus in Western Legal Thought
Last Updated Date:   8 July 2025


4 Units,  Semester 2

Course Description:
The Trial of Jesus is an excellent case for students to learn how to conduct non‐practical studies of legal and normative issues. It is, arguably, the most consequential legal event in the evolution of Western Civilization. We will examine the historical, political, and legal background to the Trial, and, especially, the procedural propriety of the Trial. Questions to be explored include: Were his procedural rights preserved during his trial before the Sanhedrin? Was his trial a miscarriage of justice? Through reflecting upon these and other questions, we will explore if and how this trial shaped the Western culture.

This course is also concerned with the ‘method’ or ‘process’ of how students digest and integrate ’substance’ or ‘content’. Thus, there is emphasis on the significance of understanding and clarifying, the complexity of each and every problem, and not only the importance of offering, or trying to offer, a clever solution to it.

Course Convenor: Professor Joseph H.H. Weiler

Co-teacher(s): NA

Course Codes: LL4219 / LL5219 / LLJ5219 / LL6219

Contact Hours: 9 sessions over 3 weeks: Three 3-hour weekly seminars

Workload: Intensive: Weeks 1 – 3; Dates: 12 – 30 Jan 2026 [Mon: 6.30pm – 9.30pm, Wed: 6.30pm – 9.30pm & Fri: 3pm – 6pm]

Mode of Assessment: 100% written paper on student’s own choice of topic. [Due: (9pm)]

Preclusions: Nil

Prerequisites: NUS Compulsory Core Law Curriculum or common law equivalent.

Examination Date: Different Mode of Examination

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