Law, Jurisp & Social Thought 351 - Law in Childhood

Why is ignorance of the law no excuse, when most people never read court cases and statutes?  How do the stories of childhood, of enchantment and disenchantment, utopia and dystopia, justice and injustice, virtue and vice, inhabit and haunt the law, and how does the law haunt childhood’s stories?  To explore these questions, we will read children’s tales alongside legal and philosophical/theoretical texts to explore the interplay between children’s narratives, aspirations for justice, and realities of law. The seven initial classes will use children's books and stories to develop discussion of the following basic course themes and skills: enchantment and disenchantment in legal theory; genre, form, and style concepts specific to children’s literature; legal and literary conceptions of the “child”; narrative in law; and didacticism in children’s literature.

During the first seven weeks, students will write two short papers on specific prompts. In the five remaining classes, students will take turns leading class discussions based on suggested readings about enchantment or disenchantment in law and children’s literature. These discussions will serve as the basis for a longer course paper on the same topic. The last two classes will consider alternatives to the enchantment/disenchantment binary.  Class discussion and participation will be key components of the course.

Limited to 18 students.  Spring semester. Visiting Professor Meyer.