An American Half-Century

LAW9007
Section 1, Fall 25

Schedule Information

Enrollment: /16
Credits: 3
Days Time Room Start Date End Date

Wed

 		1540-1740 WB119 08/27/2025 12/03/2025

Course Description

As 1941 ended, the United States had just entered World War II as a belligerent; as 1991 ended, the Soviet Union dissolved itself. In the intervening half-century, the United States played a crucial role in defeating totalitarian dictatorships in Germany, Italy, Japan, and the Soviet Union. This seminar examines the role of US constitutional law and international law in the victories of World War II and the Cold War. We will also identify continuities between US foreign policy as conducted in the latter half of the twentieth century and as conducted currently. No prior knowledge of the relevant history or law will be taken for granted.

Course Requirements

Exam Information

Final Type (if any): None

Description: None

Written Work Product

Either (a) a substantial research paper or (b) a short paper and analytically grounded, original project reflecting substantial historical content, such as a podcast episode, a scene from a play, a short story, a game, or a review of multiple movies and TV shows, Students choose the topic and form with the assistance of the instructor. The submission deadline is December 17, 2025 (day before last day of the exam period) by noon (via EXPO). NOTE: Students opting to write a substantial research paper and wanting to use the paper for their upper-level writing requirement must initiate the "Special Request" e-form (available via LawWeb) to the Student Records Office by September 29, 2025.

Other Course Details

Prerequisites: None Concurrencies: None

Exclusive With: None

Laptops Allowed: Yes

First Day Attendance Required: No

Course Resources: To be announced via Canvas.

Graduation Requirements

Satisfies Understanding Bias/Racism/Cross-Cultural Competency requirement: No

Satisfies Writing Requirement: No

Credits For Prof. Skills Requirement: No

Satisfies Professional Ethics: No

Additional Course Information

Schedule No.: 125818965

Modified Type: ABA Seminar

Cross Listed: No

Waitlist Count: 0

Concentrations: International and Comparative , Legal History

Evaluation Portal Via LawWeb Opens: Sunday, November 23, 12:01 AM

Evaluation Portal Via LawWeb Closes: Friday, December 05, 11:59 PM

Information reflected on this page was last refreshed at: Tuesday, July 08, 2025 - 7:02 AM *

*During open enrollment periods, live enrollment data may be found in SIS.