American Legal Thought

An introduction to the fundamental issues and ideas that have shaped the law. Theorists of American law include legislators, governmental administrators, judges, lawyers, legal scholars, and commentators from other disciplines. This course examines basic concepts in legal thought, primarily of the American twentieth century. Topics include: law as literature and as portrayed in literature; law and society; freedom and necessity; the reach of the law; the legal and the non-legal; law and morality; justice; and critical perspectives on law (Critical Legal Studies). This course is especially recommended for students who are interested in the development of legal theory or are considering a career in law teaching.