Legislation and Statutory Interpretation (LAW-821-001)
Frost
Meets: 09:00 AM - 10:50 AM (W) - Room 524
Limit: 45
Notices
There are no notices at this time.
Description
Legislation & Statutory Interpretation is a two-credit course on the legislative process and statutory interpretation. For approximately the first third of the semester, we will study the legislative process – that is, how bills become law and the role that political institutions, private organizations, and individuals play in that process. The rest of the course will focus on how those laws are interpreted and implemented. We will spend a significant portion of the course discussing theories and doctrines of statutory interpretation, such as textualism, intentionalism, purposivism, and the canons of construction. We will conclude by examining the roles various political institutions play in statutory interpretation and implementation. Two themes run through the course: First, discovering the methods by which to go about the task of interpreting and implementing statutory text; and second, debating the roles various political institutions should play in that process.
Although this course is at times highly theoretical, it is intended to serve very practical goals. At a minimum, this course will provide a good foundation for the many upper-level classes that focus on statutory regimes. Those students considering careers as legislative drafters – whether as congressional staffers, elected officials, or lobbyists/activists – should emerge from this course with an understanding of how legislation is crafted, and a sense of how courts, agencies, and the executive branch are likely to interpret statutes. For those students considering careers as litigators, this course will provide the tools to convince courts that your interpretation of a statute is the correct one. And for those students whose careers will require advising others about the meaning of statutes, this course will provide the skills needed to perform that task.
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.
All reading assignments are from Eskridge, Frickey & Garrett, "Cases and Materials on Legislation, Statutes and the Creation of Public Policy" (4th ed.) (West, 2007, ISBN 0314172564) unless otherwise indicated.
First Class Readings
Read Part I of the syllabus in preparation for our first class on January 14.
Syllabus
Use your MyAU username and password to access the syllabus in the following format(s):
Adobe Acrobat (PDF)