MVV434K Law and the Humanities

Právnická fakulta
podzim 2025
Rozsah
0/2/0. 3 kr. Ukončení: k.
Vyučováno kontaktně
Vyučující
Prof. Paul Von Blum (cvičící)
Mikuláš Möwald (pomocník)
Garance
prof. JUDr. Ing. Michal Radvan, Ph.D.
Právnická fakulta
Kontaktní osoba: Mgr. Věra Redrupová, B.A.
Dodavatelské pracoviště: Právnická fakulta
Rozvrh seminárních/paralelních skupin
MVV434K/01: Po 29. 9. až Pá 19. 12. St 18:00–19:40 034
Omezení zápisu do předmětu
Předmět je určen pouze studentům mateřských oborů.

Předmět si smí zapsat nejvýše 30 stud.
Momentální stav registrace a zápisu: zapsáno: 17/30, pouze zareg.: 0/30
Mateřské obory/plány
předmět má 60 mateřských oborů, zobrazit
Cíle předmětu
For many centuries, artists working in several media have dealt with a variety of legal themes. Often, they have used their creative abilities to provide commentary and criticism about lawyers, judges, courts, and many other legal institutions. This course will examine selected examples of literature, film, and visual art from many cultures. Throughout the semester, we will examine numerous issues involving the relationships of law and the humanities, focusing in particular on how traditional humanistic source materials can provide powerful intellectual and ethical stimuli for members and prospective members of the legal profession. We will also inquire about our capacity to understand and critically evaluate these works. Some of the major objectives include the following:
* Exploring the close connections between law and the humanities;
* Gauging the effects and limitations of humanistic expression as a means of social change;
* Evaluating the similarities and differences between such creative forms as literature, film, and visual art as effective communication agents in dealing with broad legal topics;
* Gaining a deeper understanding of the motivations of artists who seek to combine artistic technique with a deeper commitment to social change.
Osnova
  • 1. Literature (approximately 4 weeks). In this section of the course, the emphasis will be on literary art as a means of commentary about law, the legal profession, and legal institutions. The focus will be on the four short major works of literature: The Death of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoy; “In the Penal Colony” by Franz Kafka; Happening, by Annie Ernaux; and “The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, “ by Alan Sillitoe”. Each one of these classic literary works will be discussed in depth. All address legal themes specifically and tangentially and provide ample opportunity for vigorous and controversial debate.
  • 2. Film (approximately 6 weeks). Throughout the 20th century, many feature films and documentaries have also treated legal themes directly and indirectly. In this segment, students will see selected examples outside class, except for a short documentary Specific examples include, “Sophie Scholl: The Final Days”; “Milada”; “Just Mercy”; “The Mauritanian“ “;Red, White, and Blue”; (shown in class) and “No Other Land “ (if available); We will examine these films from different time periods and different cultures, focusing on film as a humanities medium that raises fundamental issues of ethical and social responsibility for lawyers, judges, police, soldiers, and other legal personnel. We will also discuss other specific substantive issues raised in the films and evaluate their effectiveness in fostering social criticism and change.
  • 3. Visual Arts (approximately 3 weeks). Traditional forms of visual art, including painting, printmaking, sculpture, and photography, have similarly been employed to comment about law, lawyers, and legal institutions in several cultures and historical eras. In this course unit, we will emphasize artworks based on the published research of the course instructor. Examples include Francisco Goya; William Hogarth; Honore Daumier; Georges Rouault; George Grosz; Ben Shahn; Dorothea Lange; Gordon Parks; Romare Bearden; John Wilson; Charles Freeman; Noni Olabisi; David Hammons; Jose Ivey; Jose Clemente Orozco; and many others. We will also have one field trip during the semester, probably on a Saturday morning, focusing on a local socially oriented mural addressing legal themes.
Literatura
  • See Teacher's information for full details.
Výukové metody
Lectures, discussions.
Metody hodnocení
The class will be discussion based in order to encourage active learning. The primary requirement is a research/reflection paper on any topic related to the broad themes of this class. Details about the project will be announced in class. The instructor must approve the topics. One-page topic descriptions are due at the end of the fourth week of the semester and final papers are due on the final class day of the semester
Vyučovací jazyk
Angličtina
Informace učitele
Readings:
Leo Tolstoy, The Death of Ivan Ilych


Please read this selection by the first class and certainly no later than the second class.


Franz Kafka, In The Penal Colony


Annie Ernaux, Happening


Alan Sillitoe, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner.



Office Hours: TBA
Email: pvonblum@ucla.edu
Další komentáře
Studijní materiály
Předmět je vyučován jednorázově.
The course is designed for both physical and online learning.
  • Statistika zápisu (nejnovější)
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