American Legal History

3 units

This course will, using almost entirely original materials, survey American legal history from the earliest European colonization to the 20th century with particular focus on the following episodes or themes: the legal origins of colonial law, the foundation of independent states and the federal republic, the law of slavery, the legal status of Native American people and tribes, the civil war and its aftermath, settlement of the prairie, early regulation of business, rise of the Supreme Court as a major national institution, development of the law affecting women, legal treatment of immigrants, and national security legal development and others. Three hours of class: discussion/lecture format. A short mid-semester paper/in class-presentation on individual topics selected by each student. A two hour open book final examination. 3 units.