Instructor Class Description

Time Schedule:

• Spring Quarter 2013
• Summer Quarter 2013
• Autumn Quarter 2013

Steve P Calandrillo
LAW A 561
Seattle Campus

Law and Economics

Offered: jointly with PB AF 519.

Class description

Q: Should tobacco companies be liable for smokers' healthcare costs? Q: Can anti-discrimination laws increase business productivity? Q: Should we replace patent laws with government rewards? Q: Should Exxon be liable for punitive damages stemming from the Valdez oil spill? Law & Economics (L&E) confronts challenges such as these by identifying how to design legal rules that provide the greatest good to the greatest number. L&E principles can also take into account considerations such as discrimination and unequal wealth distribution in evaluating what's best for society. We will examine applications of L&E to: intellectual property, tobacco litigation, employment discrimination, game theory, automobile accident law, land use regulation and nuisance law. All students are welcome (economics background NOT necessary). Option of in-class exam or short paper.

Student learning goals

General method of instruction

Class discussion of reading materials

Recommended preparation

Class assignments and grading

final exam or paper

Office of the Registrar
For problems and questions about this web page contact icd@u.washington.edu,
otherwise contact the instructor or department directly.
Modified:May 17, 2013