Curriculum Guide · Courses

Professor Doran

J.D. Seminar 1008 | 2 credit hours

Oliver Wendell Holmes’s The Common Law has long been one of the most influential works in American legal thought. This seminar engages a close reading of The Common Law (and several of Holmes’s classic essays), with a focus both on Holmes’s theories of specific legal subjects (such as torts and criminal law) and his broader jurisprudential ideas (such as the development of objective liability standards and the role of policy in adjudication). The course requires regular participation in class discussion and a final paper. The paper may be used to satisfy the upper-class writing requirement. Unless specifically excused, attendance is mandatory for all class meetings. Enrollment limited to 10.

Laptop use is not permitted. Attendance is mandatory at all class sessions.