| Part One The Foundations of Law |
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| Chapter 1 Jurisprudence |
 What is Law |
| Natural Law versus Positive Law |
| Law and Morality |
| Legal Realism |
| Why Obey Law |
| The Social Contract |
| Obedience to the Social Contract |
| Social Contract Theory Problems |
| Origins of U.S. Positive Law |
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| Chapter 2 U.S. Courts |
| Federal Judicial Organization |
| Federal Jurisdiction |
| State Courts |
| Justiciability |
| Civil Procedure |
| Appellate Procedure |
| Appellate Opinions |
| The Theory of Judicial Review |
| Judicial Review in Practice |
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| Chapter 3 Statutes |
| Why Interpret Statutes |
| Plain Meaning and Textualism |
| Canons of Statutory Construction |
| Legislative Purpose |
| Statutory Interpretation: "No Vehicles in the Park" |
| Statutory Interpretation Exercise: Ricksville v. Konsor |
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| Chapter 4 Interpreting the U.S. Constitution |
| The U.S. Constitution |
| Why Interpret Constitutions? |
| Who Interprets the Constitution? |
| Judicial Philosophy |
| Judicial Philosophy Versus Political Ideology |
| Judicial Voting Behavior |
| Constitutional Interpretation |
| Originalism versus Nonoriginalism |
| Problems with Originalism |
| Constitutional Pragmatism |
| Constitutional Law |
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| Part Two The Substance of Law |
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| Chapter 5 Contracts |
| Contracts and Contract Law |
| Offer and Acceptance |
| Consideration |
| Contract Enforceability |
| Contract Terms |
| Contract Breach |
| Contract Damages |
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| Chapter 6 Torts |
| Torts Versus Crimes |
| Tort Mental States |
| Intentional (Physical) Torts |
| Nonphysical Torts |
| Intentional Tort Defenses |
| Negligence |
| Strict Liability |
| Vicarious Liability |
| Joint Tortfeasors |
| Plaintiff Fault |
| Special Defendant Classes |
| Damages |
| Time Limits |
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| Chapter 7 Criminal Law |
| Criminal Law Overview |
| Types of Crimes 1: Crimes Against Persons |
| Types of Crimes 2: Crimes Involving Property |
| Types of Crimes 3: Inchoate Crimes |
| Criminal Defenses |
| The Insanity Defense |
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| Chapter 8 Criminal Procedure |
| Elements of a Criminal Trial |
| Investigation: Search and Seizure |
| Arrest, Charges, and Pleas |
| The Jury System |
| Criminal Sentencing |
| The Future of Criminal Law and Procedure |
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| Part Three The Skills of Legal Reasoning |
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| Chapter 9 Legal Reasoning |
| The Skill of Legal Reasoning |
| Deductive Reasoning Syllogisms |
| Complex Major Premises |
| Polysyllogisms |
| Deductive Legal Reasoning Practice Cases |
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| Chapter 10 Case Law Elements |
| What is Case Law? |
| The Legal elements of Court Decisions |
| Case Briefs |
| Case Elements: Name, Facts. Issue, Holding |
| Case Elements: Rule + Application |
| Other Case Brief Elements |
| Well-written versus Poorly-written Case Brief Comparison |
| Sample Cases with Case Briefs |
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| Chapter 11 Argument from Precedent |
| Common Law Precedents and the Courts |
| Argument from Precedent |
| Argument from Precedent: Motor Vehicle Cases |
| Argument from Precedent: "Chair" |
| Argument from Precedent: "Bokmurfle" |
| Argument from Precedent: "No Vehicles in the Park" Cases |
| Ratio Decidendi versus Obiter Dicta |
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| Chapter 12 IRAC |
| What is IRAC? |
| IRAC Format |
| Sample IRAC: Incorporation Doctrine |
| Sample IRAC: Free Exercise Clause |
| IRAC Practice: Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress |
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| Chapter 13 Issue Spotting |
| What is Issue Spotting |
| Issue Spotting Example: Tort |
| Contracts Issue Spotting Checklist |
| Contracts Issue Spotting Example |
| Torts Issue Spotting Checklist |
| Torts Issue Spotting Example |
| Torts Issue Spotting Practice 1 |
| Torts Issue Spotting Practice 2 |
| Torts Issue Spotting Practice 3 |
| Torts Issue Spotting Practice 4 |
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| Chapter 14 Legal Briefs |
| What is Issue Spotting |
The Appellate Brief
Constructing Legal and Appellate Briefs
Appellate Brief Organization
Legal Brief Template Example: Public Forum Doctrine
Common Legal Brief Mistakes
Argument from Precedent Example: Capture of Wild Animals
Wild Capture Hypothetical: Stephens v. Albers
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| Part Four Philosophy of Law |
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| Chapter 15 Advanced Jurisprudence |
| Positive Law Mandates Obedience to Natural Law |
| Positive Law Criminalizes Violating Natural Law |
| Positive Law Expressly Includes Natural Law Rights |
| Positive Law Impliedly Protects Natural Law Rights |
| Positive Law Expressly Allows Natural Law as a Legal Defense |
| Positive Law Impliedly Allows Natural Law as a Legal Defense |
| Legal Realism, Critical Legal Studies, and Utilitarianism |
| Feminist Jurisprudence |
| Critical Race Theory |
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| Appendix Legal Education, Licensing, and Research |
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| Index |
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