American Legal History (920-1)

Instructors

Ajay Mehrotra

Meeting Info

Rubloff Building 203: Mon 4:40PM - 6:30PM

Overview of class

Law, legal processes, and legal institutions have long played a pivotal role in American political and economic development. One of the fundamental aims of this seminar is to examine how the law - broadly conceived - has affected, and been affected by, political and economic changes in the United States from the late-nineteenth century to the present. While the course will survey a range of topics, the primary focus will be on the development of U.S. tax law and fiscal policy. In addition to class discussion, each student will be responsible for a brief formal presentation, a short book review and a final research paper.

Registration Requirements

There are no prerequisites for this seminar, beyond an intellectual curiosity about the past and willingness to read broadly.

Learning Objectives

After this class, students should have a better understanding of how the law has shaped, and been shaped by, changes in the U.S. economy, society, and politics.

Class Attributes

Legal History
Public Interest