Law and Literature

Catalog description

How are lawyers portrayed in stories? How do lawyers use story-telling techniques in their work? What are the ethical implications of both these inquiries? This course, through a wide- ranging series of novels, short stories, films and legal materials, explores the ways in which literary art and literary skills inform the lawyer's world. Readings for this course may include one or more of the following: Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment, Dickens, Great Expectations, Camus, The Stranger, Flaubert, A Sentimental Education, Doctorow, The Book of Daniel. Films may include: The Ox-Bow Incident, The Verdict, and The Sweet Hereafter. Complementing the discussion units will be legal material of a more traditional nature. Appellate opinions will be read that exemplify the lawyer-as-outsider, legal reasoning and uses of history by lawyers and judges. An additional feature of the literary side of law is style. The student's own writing is a part of the course. Students will be required to write a significant final paper.