Legal History: Course

Limit: 20 Students

A survey of legal systems and how their historical contributions relate to today's legal environment. The survey includes a look at early foundations of law via the ancient Mesopotamian, Jewish, Greek and Roman systems, followed by a brief examination of selected historical aspects of the English and Colonial American systems.

The class will examine these systems from two angles. First, there will be an overview of how the mentioned legal systems evolved. Second, the systems' evolutions will be scrutinized in more detail through focusing on the development of their courts and procedure in addition to substantive areas such as crime tort and contracts. The class discussions will center around readings drawing from a number of sources; the Bible, Greek plays, Justinian Codes, English cases and statutes as well as commentators.

A paper is required in addition to its class presentation. The paper may satisfy the WIE or Capstone writing requirement. Regular attendance is expected. It is also possible to do an extended research/paper project which combines the Legal History course and the Legal History seminar.

Meets the WIE or Capstone writing requirement.

The American Bar Association accreditation standards require students to regularly attend the courses in which they are registered. Lewis & Clark expects students to attend classes regularly and to prepare for classes conscientiously. Specific attendance requirements may vary from course to course. Any attendance guidelines for a given class must be provided to students in a syllabus or other written document at the start of the semester. Sanctions (e.g., required withdrawal from the course, grade adjustment, and/or a failing grade) will be imposed for poor attendance.