Legal Studies 297LL - ST-Law, Lit & History:Amer Exp

How do writers grapple with legal questions? How does the law respond to issues raised in the realm of cultural or popular expression? Taking an interdisciplinary approach, this survey course will examine the legal history of the mid-nineteenth to early twentieth centuries against a larger historical frame which includes literature, film, journalism, and other forms of cultural expression. The turn of the last century was a period of tremendous change in the United States: we entered an age of imperialism, the nation experienced tremendous industrial growth, technological advances required new laws and understandings of privacy and property, and the nation grappled with the meanings of citizenship in the face of immigration, post-bellum emancipation, and the agitation of women for the vote. Significantly, many precedents set during this time of change and development still resonate in our culture today. Using the critical viewpoint that historical analysis facilitates, we will examine an array of different topics and wonder about the role of legislation in the creation of culture and society, and simultaneously, the role of culture and society in the creation of legislation.

This course is open to Senior, Junior, and Sophomore Legal Studies majors only. Pre Req: LEGAL 250 Legal Studies majors Soph/Jr/Sr.