USC Gould Search

IN THIS SECTION

Course Descriptions
USC Gould School of Law

Foundations of Private Law Seminar     LAW-803

The seminar covers theories of private law, and particularly property and contract law, with an emphasis on the latter. The seminar addresses the fundamental questions of these areas of law from the perspective of legal theory, political philosophy, and economics. These questions include: What is a private right? Which agreements should be legally enforced, and why? What should the remedy for breach of contract be? How should courts fill gaps in the parties’ agreement? What is the role of the state regarding property and contract? What is the relationship between property, contract, and justice? Where do our private law institutions come from? What is the distinction between private and public law? No prior knowledge of legal theory, philosophy, economics, or history is required.

Units 2, 3
Grading Options Numeric Only
Exam Type None
Writing Requirement Yes
Skills/Experiential Requirement No
Enrollment Limit 20

Grading Options: vary with the professor

Professors Teaching This Course


Felipe Jiménez


Nomi Stolzenberg

NEXT STEPS