Prof. Donna Bloemer
Thomas More University England has long been the bedrock of our legal system, where we will watch barristers in formal dress and wigs argue civil cases.
Course:
London’s Common Law: A Legal Legacy
Program Dates:
Dec 26, 2024 - Jan 8, 2025
Honors Credit:
Available
WKU Course:
PS 420
Discipline(s):
Law , Pre-law , History
Course Description:
Experience first-hand the bedrock of the British legal tradition with this rare opportunity. We will take a step back in time to visit London’s storied Inns of Court, where so many distinguished lawyers received their training. We will also witness wigged barristers in action today at the Old Bailey Criminal Court and the Royal Courts of Justice. This class enables students to recognize and articulate how U.S. civil and criminal statutes have evolved from the English common law and to glean how British courtrooms have shaped our legal legacy.
Prerequisites:
None. Open to students of all majors, of special interest to law and pre-law students, or those interested in the history of legal traditions.
Physical Activity Requirements:
Daily activities include significant walking on both paved and uneven surfaces (three to five miles per day, including long walking tours), using public transportation, climbing stairs and hills, and exposure to winter weather.
Course Highlights:
- Visit the prestigious Inns of Court, where legal luminaries have honed their craft for centuries.
- Witness real-life courtroom drama at the historic Old Bailey Courthouse, gaining invaluable insights into criminal law proceedings.
- Explore London's iconic landmarks like Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London, steeped in centuries of legal and historical significance.
- Embark on enriching day trips to cultural gems that provide deep contextual understanding of British legal heritage.
- Ring in the New Year with fireworks above Buckingham Palace.