Teaching the Amistad

13 Pages Posted: 28 Mar 2007

See all articles by Brant T. Lee

Brant T. Lee

University of Akron - School of Law

Abstract

This brief essay discusses the use of a slavery case, the Amistad, in teaching a first-year Property Law course. It argues that teaching about slavery in the first year of law school not only emphasizes the significance of race issues in American legal history, but also helps students to connect broader philosophical ideas to the rules at hand. The essay reviews the facts underlying the Amistad case, including reference to the movie about the case and to intellectual property issues that arose in the making of the movie. The essay then traces the deployment in the Amistad case of the standard property themes of possession and title. The essay closes with suggestions about how to connect the discussion of the Amistad to broader themes in property law.

Keywords: slavery, property, possession, title, race

JEL Classification: K1, K10, K11, N31

Suggested Citation

Lee, Brant T., Teaching the Amistad. St. Louis University Law Journal, Vol. 46, p. 775, 2002, University of Akron School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper Series, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=975516

Brant T. Lee (Contact Author)

University of Akron - School of Law ( email )

Akron, OH 44325-2901
United States
330-972-6616 (Phone)

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