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This archived information is dated to the 2008-09 academic year only and may no longer be current.

For currently applicable policies and information, see the current Stanford Bulletin.

History and Law

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History Fields of Study or Degree Options

The History and Law (HL) interdisciplinary track is for students who wish to explore the intersections between historical and legal studies. The HL curriculum focuses on the role of legal institutions, policies, and structures in various societies. HL track majors enroll in at least three History department courses that focus on issues of law in civil societies and five courses that provide a geographic concentration. In addition, students enroll in four courses outside History that provide disciplinary or interdisciplinary perspectives on the role of law in shaping societies.

Gateway Course—There is no gateway course for this HIP. Instead, students take an extra course in the Methodological cluster.

Methodological Cluster (four courses)—Students enroll in at least four History department courses, including courses outside History taught by faculty affiliated with the department, that focus on how law, policies, constitutions, and legal structures affect the development of various societies. (Note: The Methodological Cluster for this HIP contains one extra course since there is no Gateway course.) For 2008-2009, these courses are:

CLASSHIS 137. Models of Democracy

HISTORY 104. Trials that Made History: Courtroom Martyrs and Villains from the Classical to Modern Period

HISTORY 208S. The Politics of Retrospective Justice

HISTORY 251G. Topics in Constitutional History

HISTORY 287B. International Law and the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

HISTORY 352B. History of American Law (requires the permission of the Law School instructor)

IHUM 4A. Mass Violence from Crusades to Genocides

OSPMADRD26. Issues in European Law

Geographical Cluster (four courses)—Students choose four History courses in one geographic area, such as the United States, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Middle East, or Africa.

Interdisciplinary Cluster (four courses)—Students may select from courses offered in the School of Law, School of Education, and others as appropriate. Note: Courses in the School of Law and School of Education require the permission of the instructor before undergraduate students can enroll, since these are graduate-level courses.

Research Seminar for Majors (HISTORY 209S)—Fulfills the Writing in the Major requirement.

General Requirements—Like all history majors, students in History Interdisciplinary Programs must complete two lecture courses (one Europe or US, one Africa, Asia, Middle East or Latin America), two 200-level courses, a Sources & Methods seminar, and a Research Seminar for Majors.

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