Jewish Legal Concepts and Contempporary American Law in Comparative Perspec (LAW-795JL-001)
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Notices
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Description
Using a comparative methodology, this course will examine the historical development and contemporary application of Jewish law in relation to Anglo-American law. Students will begin by analyzing the concept of Jewish law and its role in Jewish social and cultural life, as well as an historical survey of the major works of Jewish legal literature. The course will then proceed to case studies of specific issues of both historical and contemporary relevance, including: citizenship and group membership; war and self-defense; civil liberties, among others. Selected topics in legal theory will also be explored, such as paradigms of legal interpretation and the relation of morality to law. Students will compare positions and approaches articulated in Jewish legal literature with concepts, practices and institutions in Anglo-American jurisprudence. Primary source material in translation will be analyzed, along with select secondary literature. In addition to preparatory reading, students will be asked to give a brief (no more than 10 minute) presentation situating the week’s topic in the context of American law, as well as a lengthier final presentation on a topic of the student’s choice comparing approaches found in both Jewish and Anglo-American sources. For students wishing to fulfill their legal writing requirement, this lengthier presentation will serve as the basis for a final paper.
Textbooks and Other Materials
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First Class Readings
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