Welcome to the course!
Start here. Just a few words to prepare you for the recordings and readings to come.
Audio lectures for JURI 3233, Foundations of American Law, at the University of Georgia.
For each reading, listen to the corresponding episode after you have done the reading but before the class on that reading. Episodes are posted at least four days ahead — the episodes for a Tuesday class go up the Friday before.
Listen in a podcast app. Add this URL in your app to subscribe:https://whatislaw.org/foundations2026/feed.xml
https://whatislaw.org/foundations2026/feed.xml
An Overview of the U.S. Legal System
Joe and I discuss the first part of this week’s reading.
Is a Burrito a Sandwich?
Joe and I discuss the first case, White City v. PR Restaurants.
Law, Legal Argument, and Legal Systems
Joe and I discuss the reading on legal argument, legal systems, and rules and standards.
A Grim Case
Joe and I discuss the tragic case of Dudley and Stephens.
Fields of Law
Joe and I discuss contract, tort, and criminal law.
Law and Economics
Joe and I discuss the readings introducing law and economics.
Popov v. Hayashi
We discuss milestone homerun baseballs, foxes, legal rules and standards, and winners and losers.
Justice
Joe and I discuss the reading on different conceptions and types of justice. (Listen in advance of Tuesday’s lecture.)
The Pennsylvania Coal case
Joe and I discuss the regulatory takings doctrine, justice, and Pennsylvania Coal Co. v. Mahon.