PSCI 280 - Law and Western Culture

3 hours
This course examines the historical development of legal theory and the rule of law in Western culture from ancient times through the American Founders, including antecedents from the Hebrews, Greeks, Romans, early Church, medieval period, Reformation and Renaissance, English common law, British colonial period, and early American Republic. Employing an interdisciplinary approach, the course basically traces the classical and Judeo-Christian roots of Western law and legal theory, focusing in particular on the natural or higher law background of the common law, the origins and growth of liberty of conscience, the inherent tension between maintaining order and promoting liberty in a democracy, the role of religion in a free society, and the delicate task of reconciling a commitment to religious freedom, while also insuring an institutional separation between church and state. It is recommended that students pursuing the legal studies minor take PSCI 290 - Law, Justice, and Culture Institute in place of this course. UG