An introduction to american law by gerald paul mcalinn. It explains the evolution of american law, its current structures and processes, and examines the main substantive areas of law, including torts, contracts, civil procedure, criminal law and procedure, and constitutional law. This book is a general introduction to the law and legal system of the united states and the relationship between law and society. This book provides an introduction to the american legal system for a broad readership. Legal system is a thorough introduction to american legal principles, a highly accessible. We recommend that you use this book on an internetenabled device. The fundamental rules, court cases, concepts, and trends of key subjects in american law are presented in a narrative that is tailored to the reader who does. The book uses anecdotes, historical detail and scholarship to. Tort law, contract law, property, constitutional law, criminal law, and civil procedure. Stern and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Cap an introduction to american law, third edition.
American courts describes the state judicial systems and the federal judicial system. Kaplan talks about her book an introduction to the american legal system, government, and constitutional law. This book meets the need of students and general readers alike for a comprehensive introduction to the american legal system. This book is dedicated generally to the many students who have studiedamerican law with us in japan. This book part is brought to you for free and open access by the faculty scholarship at scholarly commons. The item an introduction to american law, gerald mcalinn, dan rosen, john p. Taking account of important cases and legislation, the book explores the way this is a comprehensive introduction to the american legal system for. The book allows students from anywhere to learn american law through cases, as american lawyers do, but also provides the context they may need to make. An introduction to american law biddle law library.
The second edition of this book has been updated to cover essential developments in case law, as well as other important changes in american law, during the last five years. The fundamental rules, court cases, concepts and trends of each key subject in american law are presented in a narrative tailored to the reader without an american legal. Grant m hayden this book provides an introduction to the american legal system for a broad readership. After giving some brief historical background, the book begins with the basic structure of the system. Designed as a first book for students, isbn 0371788773, isbn 9780371788776, like new used, free shipping in the us. Introduction to american law provides an overview of the legal system in the united states. They have tirelessly and diligently struggled with copied materials and roughly edited cases. Fletcher and sheppard, in their book american law in a globat context, state that.
An opensource casebook is a free, open textbook designed for a fourcredit trademark course, which is what i teach at nyu school of law. This book is written primarily for beginning law students who will acquire more detailed knowledge of the topics covered here and for persons from other countries with legal backgrounds who want an introduction to american courts. Lawlibraryofcongress external link ask a librarian. The third edition of this book has been updated to cover essential developments in american law. The book does away with many historical discussions, except where a discussion of history is needed to understand unique aspects of the american legal system.
Corporate social responsibility and business ethics, courts and the legal process, constitutional law and us commerce, introduction to contract law, the agreement, relationships between principal and agent, liability of principal and agent. This would sensitize the learners to the socioeconomic, political legal, ethical and moral values emerging national and global concerns so as to enable them to become law abiding, responsible citizens and agent of democratic governance. This text introduces firstyear law students to the new kind of research required to study and to practice law. This online program is designed to provide the international community with an understanding of the structure and operations of the u. The only book to receive as many nominations as binghams was letters to a law student, by all souls fellow and director of studies at pembroke college, cambridge. Souccj230 introduction to the american criminal justice. An introduction to the american legal system, government, and. Over the past thirty years, the european court of human rights has developed an ambitious, american style body of law. Law faculty books law faculty publications 2019 sources of american law. An introduction to american law, third edition 9781611638455. However, in american law, the legal rules to be applied derive from myriad sources, complicating the process and making legal research different from other sorts of research. Ask us for help with reference questions and challenging legal or legislative research.
But the united states supreme court is no longer the only one changing the landscape of public rights and values. Introduction to the american criminal justice system, did a great job. Its focus is on law in practice, on the role of the law in american society. Introduction to the law and the american legal system. Learn an introduction to american law from university of pennsylvania.
Although the book is comprehensive, it is written to be. Introduction american society is governed by the rule of law, not the rules of a single individual. It covers the institutions of law creation and application, law in american government, american legal. An introduction to the american legal system is a comprehensive introduction to law and the legal process. Introduction to the american criminal justice system. Alberto benitez, an introduction to the united states legal system. An introduction to american law, third edition english edition. The chapters on the syllabus are from the study of law, a critical thinking approach 4th ed. Some areas, such as samesex marriage, have changed. Brooks university of kentucky college of law, tina. I am looking for a good summary of the major differences between civil law and common law systems that i can share with new staff and volunteers working on. B76 20 targeted at llms, this book discusses best practices for taking notes in class, outlining in preparation of finals, dealing with stress and culture shock, and reading and briefing cases. Model syllabi for fourcredit and threecredit courses are available in the faculty resources section of this website.
Introduction to the american legal system bookboon. Designed as a first book for students by timothy walker 2015, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. This pdf document allows you to expand the table of contents on the lefthand side of the page. Each of these is discussed in greater detail in this and other chapters of this book. Introduction to american law 2nd edition 9781594607141. You can easily search, bookmark, highlight, and underline the text material. This book is cultural and systemic relative to the topics of today. A peoples history of the european court of human rights. An introduction to law this key introductory ou level 1 law module is taught entirely online and considers the nature and role of law. H2o was built at harvard law school by the library innovation lab. This note has been designed to develop among learners an insight into various legal processes and practices. Overview of the american legal system and the life of a case duration.
Burke, david carter, brian fedorek, tiffany morey, lore rutzburri, and shanell sanchez. The style and organization of the book reflect the authors 30 years of experience teaching law to both native speakers of english and students to whom english is a second language. Comparing it to my required textbook for purchase by other authors, this book covered most of the material and is comprehensive. Pdf introduction to the american legal system researchgate. American university washington college of law offers an unparalleled opportunity to pursue an online certificate in introduction to u. Its focus is on law in practice, on the role of the law in. Introduction to the american legal system lexisnexis. This is a comprehensive introduction to the american legal system for students and general readers. This book is ideal for readers who want to understand the contemporary american legal system at a more than superficial level, but who are not currently studying. Teresa brostoff, united states legal language and culture.
Introduction to the law and the american legal system 5 early rehnquist court 19861994 7 0. Common law practitioner a basic introduction to the key features of the classic civil law system. They are summarized below in order to give the reader an overview of some of the basics of american common law. This is a comprehensive introduction to the american legal system for s.
It covers the institutions of law creation and application, law in american government, american legal culture and the legal profession, american criminal and. Basic principles of american law the jury system the legal profession constitutional law. Introduction to american law provides an overview of the legal system in the. An introduction to american law, third edition redshelf. An introduction to american law, third edition by daniel rosen. An introduction 4 overview access to text all of this material in this text is available in desktop and mobile browser or pdf format at. What follows are some of the fundamental principles that comprise the american legal system. The exceptionality of americas supreme court has long been conventional wisdom. At its most basic definition the practice of law comprises conducting research to find relevant rules of law and then applying those rules to the specific set of circumstances faced by a client.
Stern represents a specific, individual, material embodiment of a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in biddle law library university of pennsylvania law school. It examines the role and function of a legal system by considering why laws develop, how laws are created, interpreted and applied and the role that law plays in regulating and administering justice within a. Written for both students and general readers, it uses anecdotes, historical detail, and modern scholarship to give an overall view of the american legal system. Introduction american law by gerald paul mcalinn daniel rosen. Key topics include the federal and state court systems, the civil and criminal litigation processes, and ethics in the legal profession. American legal system introduction to united states law. The book uses anecdotes, historical detail and scholarship to describe the variety of american laws, from antitrust to tort law, and explains how these laws are made and how they are administered. It is designed for leaners who have little familiarity with u. Some areas, such as samesex marriage, have changed dramatically since the second edition. Intro to civil law legal systems federal judicial center. It explains how laws are made and brilliantly explores the way changes in law mirror, and sometimes guide, changes in society. This course will give you a glimpse into six different areas of american law.