Curriculum Guide · Courses

Professor Doran

J.D. Seminar 1119 | 3 credit hours

This seminar engages a close reading of texts that represent major elements of American legal theory from the middle of the 19th Century through the present. Reading selections will cover the ideas of legal formalists, Oliver Wendell Holmes, the legal realists, the legal process school, legal positivism, the natural law tradition, Ronald Dworkin, and critical legal studies. Topics include the nature of law and legal authority, the obligation to obey or disobey the law, the sources of law, the nature and methods of reasoning about the common law and statutory law, and law’s role in mediating the relationship between the individual and the state.

The course requires regular participation in class discussion and a final paper.

Laptop use is not permitted. Unless specifically excused, attendance is mandatory for all class meetings. This seminar requires a paper. J.D. students must register for the 3 credit section of the seminar if they wish to write a paper fulfilling the Upperclass Legal Writing Requirement. The paper requirements of the 2 credit section will not fulfill the J.D. Upperclass Legal Writing Requirement.