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This seminar will explore some of the most important, foundational works of contemporary American legal reasoning and decision making. The texts we will focus on attempt to answer the disputed question of what it means to "think like a lawyer?" Should the law, and legal reasoning, be based on abstract doctrine? Deduction? Policy? How do we move from general principles to concrete cases? What are the appropriate parameters for positive and normative arguments in jurisprudence? In addition to giving you a solid grounding in the canon of American legal thought, this seminar should help you generate ideas for your own contribution to academic legal debates. Prerequisites: None. Evaluation: Every other week, you will produce a short (2-4 page) reaction paper, due before class, which will be made available for everyone to read via Blackboard. Grading is based on these papers, and on the quality of class participation. Regular attendance is expected, and will be heavily factored into the grade. Anyone interested in the class, whether registered or not, must attend the first class. Text: David Kennedy & William W. Fisher III, The Canon of American Legal Thought (2006), plus supplementary readings available on Blackboard. There is a reading assignment for the first class, which will be listed on Blackboard.