(Russell Osgood) 2 credits, prerequisites: none.
The Anglo-American legal system, called the Common Law, has its origins in the development of royal legal system after the conquest by William of Normandy in 1066. This system is unique and differs from the civil law system of the rest of Europe in its focus on judicial autonomy from the state, the jury's role, and relatively reduced role of statutes in developing law and its procedures. This course will cover the significant themes in the development of this system and will expose students to original legal materials largely housed in London, even today. Course assignments will consist of original writs, cases and other legal materials. The class will have guests who are experts in particular corners of this vast and rich vein of historical materials. Each student will have to do one oral presentation and also write one moderate length paper due at the end of the shortened course session.
