US Legal History to 1890

Catalog description

Examination of the development of American legal and constitutional ideas, institutions, customs, and doctrine from the mid-18th century to 1890, with an emphasis on the interrelationships among law, culture, and society. Topics considered include development of state and national constitutions, federalism, the Supreme Court, criminal justice, civil liberties, slavery and the law, women, families, and the law, law and economic development, law and the environment, immigration, the impact of the Civil War and Reconstruction. Readings include texts of pivotal cases as well as analyses by historians and legal scholars. Offered alternate years, fall. Not open to freshmen.