Book Description

What is “law” and where does it come from? Law does not only exist in a courtroom and law is not only created by legislators. Law is all around us and is under constant transformation. Introduction to Law and the Legal System course will focus on the many different meanings of law and the role of law in modern life. In this course we will examine the functions of law in society from a constitutional, statutory and judicial perspective, noting the role each of these has played in shaping the current legal framework in the United States. This class introduces students to the relationship between law, societal organizations (both nongovernmental organizations and not-for-profit organizations), the private sector, and the separate branches of government (the judiciary, congressional, and executive branches). The course is structured to provide students with the opportunity to learn to legally analyze judicial opinions, prepare legal memoranda, and present an oral argument before a “judge.” Throughout the semester we will explore the role of the citizen within the legal system and the effects that laws can have on society. We will discuss issues such as affirmative action, free speech, and tort reform. In this course we will examine how useful the law is in resolving disputes, to what extent our legal system either reflects or promotes social inequality, and whether our courts are living up to their democratic ideals. During this course, students will have the opportunity to learn how to analyze judicial opinions, to prepare case briefs and an appellate memorandum, to observe an actual courtroom, and to present an oral argument before a panel of lawyers acting as judges. Introduction to Law and the Legal System text provides an overview of the law and the American legal system. It uses a sampling of cases to support the major functions of U.S. law. It is suitable for a variety of departments and courses with its broad coverage and introductory level, topical organization, discussion of the organization of the federal and state court systems and the use of landmark cases to illustrate legal concepts. The cases included in this text have been heavily edited for teaching purposes and are not intended to be representative of the full cases.