Reconstructing Langdell

140 Pages Posted: 25 Apr 2012

See all articles by W. Burlette Carter

W. Burlette Carter

George Washington University Law School

Date Written: 1997

Abstract

This article traces the development of the modern American law school curriculum including the case method, as designed by Christopher Columbus Langdell and the Socratic method as implemented by James Barr Ames; discusses early tensions between law schools and the American Bar Association and the ultimate triumph of law schools as the primary method of law study and frames the Langdell legacy for a modern time.

Keywords: case method, Christopher Columbus Langdell, Harvard Law School, legal education, socratic method

JEL Classification: K00

Suggested Citation

Carter, W. Burlette, Reconstructing Langdell (1997). Georgia Law Review, Vol. 32, No. 1, 1997, GWU Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2012-35, GWU Law School Public Law Research Paper No. 2012-35, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2045726

W. Burlette Carter (Contact Author)

George Washington University Law School ( email )

2000 H Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20052
United States
202.994.5155 (Phone)
202.994.5654 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.law.gwu.edu/Faculty/profile.aspx?id=1722

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