Fall 2007 Course Schedule

U.S. Legal History I (LAW-606-001)
May

Meets: 10:30 AM - 11:50 AM (TTH) - Room 528

Enrolled: 19 / Limit: 20

Administrator Access


Notices

A newly revised syllabus is available at the links below and also in the Course Documents section of the Blackboard site for the course. Study questions and reading assignments for the term are also available in that section of the Blackboard site.

Description

Explores the interaction of American law and society primarily from the Revolutionary War and New Republic era through post-Civil War reconstruction, with a brief introductory overview of colonial developments. Examines the origins, evolution, and impact of major constitutional, statutory, and private law developments in this period. Specific topics include changes in understanding and operation of basic constitutional rights; the evolving scope of governmental power and relationship between federal and state authority; legal promotion and regulation of American economic life, particularly through the development and application of property, tort, and contract law; the changing legal and social status and activity of women, African-Americans, and industrial workers; evolving ideas and practices regarding crime and criminals; and the history of the legal profession.

Textbooks and Other Materials

The textbook information on this page was provided by the instructor. Students should use this information when considering purchases from the AU Campus Store or other vendors. Students may check to determine if books are currently available for purchase online.

First Class Readings

For our first class, please read the following: (1) David M. Walker, "Ancient Law" in David M. Walker, The Oxford Companion to Law 55-60 (1980) (copies of this article are available on library reserve as well as electronically in the Course Documents section of the Blackboard site for this course); (2) Kermit Hall The Magic Mirror 9-11(middle); and (3) J.H. Baker An Introduction to English Legal History 1-17 (4th ed. 2002) (copies of the extract from J.H. Baker also are available on library reserve as well as electronically in the Course Documents section of the Blackboard site for this course. We will the read the remainder of the extract for our next class.) In reading these materials, please consider the general study questions set out in the "Assignments" section of the Blackboard site for the course.

Syllabus

Use your MyAU username and password to access the syllabus in the following format(s):