Introduction to English Legal History

SLN #: 13085
Course Prefix: LAW-691
Course Section: 008
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor(s): Rose
Course Books: View List of Books

Course Description:
Description: The course will focus on the birth of the Common Law as a legal system during the 12th and 13th centuries and on its subsequent development from then through the 17th century. The origins of the many of the characteristic institutions of the Anglo-American Common can all be traced back to the English medieval Common Law. These institutions include the courts and jurisdictional notions, a professional judiciary, an organized legal profession, the rules of procedure and pleading, the jury, and legal literature and the reporting of cases. In addition, many modern legal doctrines have their origins in the English medieval Common Law. The course will also introduce the basic notions of substantive law in areas such as property, contract, tort, and criminal law and their development during the same time period. The course will make extensive use of original sources in English translation as well as secondary literature. Additional instruction will be available for students who wish to learn how to work with primary sources in their original language and form.

Materials: J.H. Baker, An Introduction to English Legal History (4th ed. 2002); Selections Copied from J.H. Baker & S.F.C., Sources of English Legal History: Private Law to 1750 (1986)(available from College of Law); Materials provided by the instructor (available from College of Law).

Student Responsibility: This course will meet twice a week with two 1 1/2 hour sessions. Students are expected to attend and participate in the discussion. Each student will write a 25 page paper on a topic of their choice, approved by the instructor. The grade will be based largely on the paper as well as classroom participation and contributions.

Additional Information:
Credit Hours: 3
Grading Option: Letter Grade Only
Written Assignment: No
Graduation Writing Requirement: Yes, With Instructor's Approval*
Flexible/Upper-Level Writing Requirement: Yes, With Instructor's Approval*
Skills Requirement: No
Simulation Course: No
Note: Only one of the above listed requirements can be fulfilled with this course.
Experiential Learning: No
Seminar: No
Special Withdrawal Course: No
Final Exam Given: No
Mid Term Or Other Exam: No
Paper Or In-Class Presentation: Yes
Attendance Policy: Per Statement Of Student Policies
Additional Attendance Policy: Yes

* The law school has a policy that is used to calculate credit hours. Please see the Statement of Student Policies.