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Academic Year 2000/2001

Roman Law and Society
CCIV 327 SP
Crosslistings:
HIST 373

If a thrown ball strikes the hand of a barber who then accidentally cuts a slave's throat, who is responsible? If your neighbor pulls down your house to stop a fire, is he liable to you? Does the use of vigilante violence to protect a disputed inheritance mean you forfeit your claim to the property? What principles should be used to decide these cases? This course will provide an introduction to the legal system of the ancient Romans, who were among the first to develop a coherent legal scien ce. The course will include minilectures (with discussion encouraged) on such topics as slavery, marriage, wills, citizenship, landlord-tenant law, and prostitution but will focus primarily on extended class discussion of a number of cases treated in the ancient sources.

MAJOR READINGS

J. Crook, LAW AND LIFE OF ROME, J. Fleming, AN INTRODUCTION TO THE LAW OF TORTS E. Levi, AN INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL REASONING B. W. Frier, A CASEBOOK ON ROMAN DELICT

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

2-4 2-page papers (some to be read aloud in class), midterm, final paper. Class discussion will figure heavily in grading.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

No previous knowledge of Roman Society is required. Knowledge of Latin is not required, but if there is sufficient interest a small group can meet once a month or so to read some of the cases in Latin.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: NONE    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-26-2001

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