History of the Common Law

This lecture-based course provides an introduction to the historical foundations of Anglo-American law from late antiquity through the early eighteenth century. Course topics include Germanic legal systems in the wake of the Roman Empire; Anglo-Saxon dispute resolution, fact-finding, land law, and kingship; the Norman Conquest of 1066 and its social and political aftermath; the development of Angevin courts of law and the transformation of legal literature; the legal foundations of feudalism and medieval economic life; the development of the criminal jury trial; the history of legal education and the bar; medieval English constitutionalism, including Magna Carta and the origins of Parliament; equity jurisprudence as practiced in the courts of Chancery, Admiralty, Requests, and Start Chamber; the English Civil War and Glorious Revolution; and eighteenth-century criminal and commercial law. No previous knowledge of legal history is required.

Course Schedule

  • Date: Monday, Wednesday 11:00-12:30AM
  • Location: KT115

Course Information

  • Catalog number-Section number: 7597-01
  • Course Type: Lecture
  • Prerequisites: None
  • Credits (min/max): 3/3
  • Subjects:

Enrollment

  • Enrollment status: Open
  • Current enrollment/capacity: 14/45
  • Reserve population/capacity: 0/0
  • Waitlist enrollment/capacity: 0/50

Grading

  • Grade basis: Graded
  • Satisifies Writing Requirement: No
  • Exam type: PROCTORED