LAW 6091

Introduction to the American Legal System

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2019-2020.

The primary purpose of the course is to provide a survey and an analysis of the laws of the United States. It does this by exploring the basic foundations of American Law, its nature, history and theoretical underpinnings. Special emphasis is placed on principles in the American legal system that are distinctive and require particular attention from students who have been trained abroad. Among the topics to be covered by the course are the structure of the US court system; judicial review; the legislative system; federalism; separation of powers; the jury system; consideration in contract; the US and International Law; civil procedure; constitutional law; criminal law; tort law, the common law; and civil law. Class sessions consist of lectures and guest speakers. Students are expected to participate in class discussions based on assigned readings. During the semester students will be assigned two written exercises to be answered in no more than three pages. The final requirement of the course is a ten-page essay addressing an issue covered in any of the lectures given in the course.

When Offered Fall.

Comments The course is required for the LLM degree, except for LLM students who hold a JD degree from a US Law School. It is open only to LLM students who do not hold a JD degree from a US Law School. Regular attendance of classes is required and will be monitored.

View Enrollment Information