Description
To understand how the legal system works, students must consider the
law in terms of its structures, processes, language, and modes of
thought and argument—in short, they must become literate in the
field. Legal Literacy fulfills this aim by providing a
foundational understanding of key concepts such as legal personhood,
jurisdiction, and precedent, and by introducing students to legal
research and writing skills. Examples of cases, statutes, and other
legal materials support these concepts.
While Legal Literacy is an introductory text, it also
challenges students to consider critically the system they are
studying. Touching on significant socio-legal issues such as access to
justice, legal jargon, and plain language, Zariski critiques common
legal traditions and practices, and analyzes what it means “to
think like a lawyer.” As such, the text provides a sound basis
for those who wish to pursue further studies in law or legal studies as
well as those seeking a better understanding of how the legal field
relates to the society that it serves.