This seminar will examine current research by lawyers and economists on a variety of topics in law and economics. Several sessions of the seminar will consist of an invited speaker, usually from another university, who will discuss his or her current research. Representative of these sessions have been discussions of contribution among antitrust defendants, the philosophical foundations of the economic analysis of law, compensation for government regulations and takings, liability rules for controlling accidents, and the corporate tax treatment of nonprofit institutions.
Special Instructions: Students may enroll in this seminar in one of two ways. You may write a series of short commentaries (3-4 pages each) on the guest speakers' papers, of which there will four. This will satisfy the Law School's Writing requirement. Students electing this option will be graded on a Mandatory Pass/Restricted Credit/Fail basis. Alternatively, you may write a single research paper on a law and economics topic of your choice. This will satisfy the Law School's Research requirement. The number of students pursuing this option is limited to six. These papers will be graded on an Honors/Pass/Restricted Credit/Fail basis. They will be due on the last day of the Winter quarter exam period. Students enrolling in this seminar should have some prior training in economics. Adequate preparation consists of an introductory microeconomics course at the undergraduate level. Students may take both Law and Economics Seminar I and Law and Economics Seminar II in any order (neither is a prerequisite for the other); however, students may not take either course more than once.
This course is cross-listed with the Economics Department (Same as ECON 354).
This course is open to first-year Law School students.