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The law of evidence in large measure structures the trial of disputes. This course uses an examination of the rules of evidence as the point of departure for an examination of the nature of juridical proof and of trials more generally. The rules of evidence are closely examined in their own right, and are further examined from the perspective of their philosophical, political, and social implications. The twin objectives of the course are to convey a complete command of the law of evidence (including relevance, hearsay, witness examination, expert testimony, privilege, and exhibits), and to enhance the student's understanding of the deep issues lying just beneath the surface of the rules, including such matters as the nature of truth and its significance for dispute resolution and the role of other values in the litigation process, such as anti-discrimination policies or welfare maximization. The doctrinal focus of the course is the Federal Rules of Evidence, although divergences between the Federal Rules and the common law of evidence are noted and examined. Evaluation: The final exam is half short answer and half essay, although the class typically is permitted to influence the nature of the exam. Teaching method: Lecture (half) and problem solving (half). Text: Prerequisites: