Jurisprudence Courses

Covers American law on domesticated animals in the criminal, tort, wills, contract, and constitutional legal contexts. Also considers wildlife and species law and its relationship to the law on individual animals. Students regularly consider ethical issues related to animals as a foundation for current law and possible reform.

This seminar invites the student to consider the way in which argument (or rhetoric) can operate as a transformative force in culture. It proceeds upon a critical reading of the great works of Western Civilization, inviting the student to ask critically what implication these works have for one's legal education and practice.

This course considers the principles used to resolve legal problems when the conflicting laws of two or more jurisdictions might reasonably be applied.  The course initially focuses upon the different rules and methodologies used to determine the appropriate choice of law.  Constitutional limits on the use of such rules and methodologies are explored in some detail.

Interdisciplinary seminar that combines the study of cultural ecology with legal anthropology. The course examines the historical roots of the current environmental crisis in the development of agriculture, urbanization and industrialization. The course focuses on the political and cultural challenges of climate change in other historical periods and the challenges that global warming presents in different parts of the world. Perspective & AWR

This course is an extensive analysis of the sources of and limitations on the federal judicial power.  Particular emphasis is placed upon the relationship between the state and federal judicial system.

Taking as its starting point the idea that humans are biological creatures, and that human nature and its manifestation in the law can be profitably approached from a biologically informed viewpoint, this course examines concepts of culture and other influences on social interaction that help to shape legal systems.

This seminar explores the opinion-writing process from several theoretical and practical perspectives.  Class readings and discussions will encourage students to examine critically models of case resolution articulated and applied by prominent jurists and theorists in their opinions and extra-judicial writings.  Students draft law clerk memos and judicial opinions based on the briefs and records in actual state and federal cases.

Classes offered under this designation explore special areas of interest, including newly developing areas of law, or specialties of visiting faculty and fellows. Students should consult registration information specific information on classes presented under this title.

Modeled after the Oxford-Cambridge tutorial system in which the student and faculty member follow a course of reading and meet to discuss, this tutorial provides an opportunity for students to master a field of law and/or philosophy, or explore a particular author's writings in depth, or resolve a particular problem. The preferred subjects are philosophy, jurisprudence, social and political philosophy, ethics, land use, population, environmental, and tort law.

  Please see individual class descriptions by term.

This seminar will examine ethical issues in the professions with an emphasis on law:  professional character and relationships, gender and moral reasoning, confidentiality, deception, paternalism and allocation of limited resources.  Readings in professional ethics and ethical theory are applied to concrete situations facing professionals, including lawyers, environmental professionals, health providers, journalists, social workers, and political agencies.

Ubi ius, ibi remedia: where there's a right, there's a remedy.  Legal "rights" are meaningless unless the law provides a method of redress when those rights are violated.  Redress is legal (e.g., damages) and/or equitable (e.g., injunctions, rescission, reformation), although there are many branches and variations within those broad categories.   Remedies have to be understood in conjunction with the law of contracts, torts, equity, constitutional law, and civil procedure.

Studies the legal and equitable methods available to redress an infringement of legal rights, such as those rights provided by the laws of contracts, torts, equity, constitutional law, and civil procedure.

Explores images of law and lawyers in popular films as well as the influences of popular film upon legal practice.  Topics studied through the films include Legal Actors and Institutions --such as Law Students, Lawyers and Legal Ethics, Clients, Witnesses, Judges and Juries-- and legal subject matter areas, such as Tort Law, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Family Law, Business Law, International Law and Military Law.

Explores the interaction of the law and gender via an in-depth study of legal responses to domestic violence. Includes discussions of family law, the civil and criminal systems, and the international human rights dimensions of this issue.