Introduction to the American Legal System

The course provides international students with an overview of the American legal system and gives a description of distinguished American legal institutions. Students' attention will be focused on the U.S. governmental structure: U.S. legislative and judicial systems, U.S. sources of law and its hierarchy, specifics of the American legal way of thinking, and introduction to the main legal terminology. Students will take part in discussions on court jurisdiction, the role of the jury, legal professionals in the U.S., legal education in the U.S., etc.

Lecturers: Douglas Wm. Godfrey, Jonathan Decatorsmith, Edward C. Harris.