The 'Echo-Chamber Effect' in Legal Education: Considering Family Law Casebooks

6 St. Thomas J. L. & Pub. Pol'y 104 (2011)

37 Pages Posted: 15 Jan 2013

See all articles by Lynne Marie Kohm

Lynne Marie Kohm

Regent University - School of Law

Lynn D. Wardle

Brigham Young University - J. Reuben Clark Law School

Date Written: January 15, 2013

Abstract

This essay briefly reviews the classical liberal understanding of the importance of the clash of ideas in the search for truth, and the significance of intellectual diversity in the legal academy. It then examines how these ideals have eroded in law education on abortion. It discusses data from a reivew of six popular family law casebooks that suggest there is a profound "echo-chamber" in law school teaching about abortion issues in family law. It concludes with some ideas about how the echo effect can be avoided and remedied in law schools, particularly in the context of addressing abortion issues and other controversial topics in teaching family law.

Keywords: family law, abortion, legal education, casebook

JEL Classification: K10, J18

Suggested Citation

Kohm, Lynne Marie and Wardle, Lynn D., The 'Echo-Chamber Effect' in Legal Education: Considering Family Law Casebooks (January 15, 2013). 6 St. Thomas J. L. & Pub. Pol'y 104 (2011), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2201231

Lynne Marie Kohm (Contact Author)

Regent University - School of Law ( email )

1000 Regent University Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.regent.edu/kohm

Lynn D. Wardle

Brigham Young University - J. Reuben Clark Law School ( email )

518 JRCB
Provo, UT 84602
United States
801-422-2617 (Phone)
801-422-0391 (Fax)

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