Introduction to U.S. Law and Methods I

3 units

[Enrollment is required for LLM and MLS students. Exchange students may also register. Visiting scholars, international judges, and JSD students may audit.] This is the first in a sequence of two courses designed to introduce distinctive aspects of the U.S. legal system. Rather than mastery of legal doctrine, the goal is to learn how law is made, found and enforced in the U.S. The objective is to learn partially by assuming the role of a U.S. lawyer resolving problems related to, but significantly distinct from, case precedent. Methods instruction also covers the mixed system of code based and common law, the judiciary and judicial system, the Supreme Court and the Constitution, and effective formats, citation and style for written communication with U.S. educated lawyers. In written comments and personal conferences as well as in class discussion, professors emphasize prediction of probable court holdings through analysis and synthesis of judicial decisions and statutes as well as the use of fact argument and analogical reasoning. Instruction in the research process includes how to locate, update and evaluate varied sources of U.S. and international law. The research classes and homework prepare students for the final memorandum, on which the course grade is primarily based. This course is graded on a modified pass/fail basis: High Pass (HP-3.94), Pass (P), Low Pass (LP-2.98), Fail (F-2.50). Students will meet: for class with Prof. Finn and also for a research lab with Prof. Luo one hour per week; and for periodic individual meetings throughout the semester with adjunct professors (days/times TBA).