Welcome to LIGN105
Law & Language focuses on language analysis as a tool for understanding the law. The course should be superb preparation for anyone contemplating law school. LIGN 105 may be used as one of the elective courses for the minor in law and society, as one of the 12 courses for the major in linguistics, and as a general elective by anyone curious about the intersection of law and language. There are no course prerequisites.
LIGN105 Syllabus
Spring 2013
I. Course Information
LIGN 105, Law & Language (4 units credit), Section I.D. 770040
Meetings: Tu & Th, 12:30-1:45 in HSS, Room 1330
Course web site: http://grammar.ucsd.edu/courses/lign105
Professor: Sanford Schane
Office Hours: Tuesday 2:00-4:00, or by appointment,3101 APM
Tel. (858) 534-7231
e-mail sschane@ucsd.edu
TAs:(grading homework)
Nadav Sofer nasofer@ucsd.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday 10:30-11:30, or by appointment,4432 APM
Dan Michel dcmichel@ucsd.edu
Office Hours: Wednesday 1:30-2:30, or by appointment,2432 APM
LIGN 105 may be used as one of the elective courses for the minor in Law and Society, and as one of the courses for the major in Linguistics.
II. Course Objectives and Principal Topics
* To recognize ambiguity and misunderstandings in contracts and court cases
* To examine the role of metaphor for legal fictions
* To apply speech act theory to areas of the law, e.g. hearsay, contract formation
* To consider the historical origins and some of the properties of legal language
* To learn how to analyze court cases from a linguistic perspective
III. Course Requirements and Grading
* Reading of all assigned readings and court cases for discussion in class (attendance will be noted)
* Written homework assignments (20% of grade) - must be turned in on date due
* In-class 1-1/2 hour written midterm examination (25% of grade)
* In-class 2-hour written final examination (30% of grade)
* An essay (3-double spaced pages) treating a new court case relating to one of the topics of the course (25% of grade)
IV. Course Text & Reader
* Course reader: (to be purchased from University Readers at: www.students.universityreaders.com/store
* Recommended text: Language and the Law, Sanford Schane, Continuum Press, 2006. Several copies have been placed on reserve in the Language Lab (3432 APM)
* Recommended: A law dictionary (various law dictionaries are available on the Internet)
V. Due dates of Exams and Written Essay
.
* Midterm Exam: In class, Tuesday, April 30 (Week V)
* Written Essay: Due Thursday, June 6 (Week X)
* Final Exam: In class, Monday, June 10, 11:30-1:30 (Week XI)