American Legal History

Description:

This course focuses on the role of law in American political and social thought from colonial times to the present. The intersection of law and politics and the role of the courts in a constitutional democracy are central course themes. Subjects include land use controls in the Colonial and Founding generations, politics in the Founding generation, slavery and race in American thought, nineteenth century judicial activism, the revolution of the New Deal, and modern topics such as desegregation and affirmative action, privacy and abortion, environmentalism, the new federalism of the Rehnquist/Roberts Courts, and that Court's decision determining the result of the 2000 presidential election. Students must attend class, take a take-home examination, and may write an optional paper with the permission of the professor. Class participation affects grades as well.

With professor consent, limited number, meets Capstone or WIE 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.