Paper (25% percent of final grade) Each student will write an 8-10 page paper analyzing films containing important themes or questions involving the American legal system. The paper must draw on the theoretical materials presented in the linked textbook readings, additional readings assigned, class discussion, as well as outside research such as case law, journal articles, or law review articles. I must approve the paper topic.
The following list contains examples:
Do films understand lawyers?
The Impact of Legal Movies on How the Public Perceives the Judicial System
A Few Questions to Ponder for Papers/Presentations in Lawyers and Film:
1. What legal point(s) is the film making and does it make that point(s) well? How does the film emphasize its point(s) about lawyers and the legal system?
2. How are the lawyers in the film portrayed? (litigators, counselors, heroes, villains, etc.) Are the portrayals authentic or unrealistic?
3. How does the films portrayal of the certain events compare and contrast with actual historical events? For example, does Inherit The Wind accurately portray the Scopes Monkey Trial as demonstrated in the historical documentary?
4. What are the examples of justice being served or not being served?
5. Is there tension between what the law demands and what justice requires?
6. Was the judicial/legal process just or unjust?
7. What are the social, political, and cultural messages encoded in the film and how do we interpret those messages?
8. As a result of watching the film, what have you learned about lawyers and the legal process?
9. What recommendation(s) would you make to improve the judicial system/lawyers?
Discuss these questions in your paper, as you integrate the film, the text, the articles, and the legal cases.
Use 12 point font. All papers are due Thursday of the final week. Late papers will be discounted 50 points.
A papers will be analytical, integrate the course materials, and have a Bibliography. B papers will discuss the issues analytically. C papers will be merely competent. D papers will not be competent. F papers will be short, uninspiring, and a waste of your time and mine.
Poor grammar, spelling, and punctuation will result in a lowered grade. College-level writing is required.
Film List For Flagler College Students at Proctor Library
(You are also encouraged to use films which are not assigned to supplement you paper.)
The Accused PN1993.5.U6 A33 2002 (DVD)
Adams Rib NOT HELD (available in my office)
The Amistad PN1997 .A48 1999 (DVD)
Anatomy of a Murder PN1997 .A538 1999 (VIDEO)
And Justice for All PN1997 .A25 2001 (DVD)
The Candidate PN1997 .C22 1996 (Video)
The Chamber PS3557.R5355 C472 1997 (VIDEO)
A Civil Action PN1997 .C521 1999 (VIDEO)
A Class Action PN1997 .C53 1995 (VIDEO)
The Client PN1993.5.U6 C575 1997 (DVD)
The Contender PN1995.9.P6 C68 2001 (VIDEO)
The Distinguished Gentleman PN1997 .D57 2000 (DVD)
Double Jeopardy PN1995.9.D4 D6 1999 (DVD)
A Few Good Men PN1997 .F49 1992 (DVD)
The Firm PN1997 .F476 2000 (DVD)
First Monday in October PN1997 .F57 2004 (DVD)
Inherit the Wind PN1997 .I54 2001 (DVD)
Judgment at Nuremberg PS3563.A5358 J8 1996 (Video)
Kramer vs. Kramer PN1997 .K73 2001 (DVD & Video)
Legal Eagles PN1997 .L384 2003 (DVD)
Nuts PN1997 .N88 3003 (DVD)
Paper Chase PN1997 .P365 2003 (DVD)
Paris Trout PN1997 .P37 1991 (VIDEO)
Philadelphia PN1995.9.J8 P4 1997 (DVD)
Presumed Innocent PN1997 .P747 1997 (DVD)
Primal Fear PN1995.9.J8 P75 1996 (VIDEO)
Primary Colors PN1997 .P75 1998 (DVD)
The Rainmaker PS3557.R5355 R352 1998 (VIDEO)
Rules of Engagement PN1997 .R84 2000 (DVD)
Runaway Jury PN1997.2 .R86 2004 (DVD)
A Time to Kill PN1995.9.D4 T544 1997 (DVD)
To Kill a Mocking Bird PS3562.E353 T62 1998 (DVD)
Twelve Angry Men (1957) PN1997 .T74 1996 (VIDEO & DVD)
Twelve Angry Men (1997) PN1995.9.J8 T9 1997 (VIDEO)
The Verdict PN1997 .V4743 2002 (DVD)
Witness for the Prosecution PN1995.9.D4 W58 2001 (DVD)
The Wrong Man KF9756 .W76 1996 (VIDEO)
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