LAW , ORDER AND JUSTICE: FILM AS LEGAL TEXT

Burton Atkins

DESCRIPTION: Stories about law, order, crime and justice have been a theme in film since movies became part of popular culture and entertainment. But studies have shown that in addition to entertaining audiences, movies also “teach” people about the law and convey legal values and thus, regardless of their accuracy, films serve as informal legal texts. This series will use portions of movies to explore how ideas about law and justice have been conveyed through this highly entertaining medium. (The film selection and order of presentation are subject to change.)

SIX LECTURES:

1. Alternative Visions of Crime and Justice in Society - Cape Fear (1961) / Cape Fear (1991)
   
   
2. The Death Penalty -The Green Mile (1999) / Dead Man Walking (1995)
   
   
3. Taking Law into Your Own Hands: Vigilante Justice - Oxbow Incident (1943) / Star Chamber (1983)
   
   
4. Crime, Film and “Non-Fiction” Novels -In Cold Blood (1967) / Capote (2005)
   
   
5.  Famous Trial Scenes -The Caine Mutiny (1954) / Inherit the Wind (1960)
   
   
6.  Images of Lawyers -To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) / The Sweet Hereafter (1997)

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Dr. Burton Atkins is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Florida State University (FSU) and currently teaches political science at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). He also serves on the faculties at Virginia Tech and Penn State Universities. In his 35-year career at FSU, Dr. Atkins taught a variety of courses on, and wrote extensively about, constitutional law and U.S. politics; served as chair of the Political Science department; lived in London from 1992 to 1997 while serving as the Director of FSU’s London Study Center; and from 1997 until his retirement in 2006, served as Director of the FSU International Affairs Program. An avid supporter of international education, Dr. Atkins has organized and led study semesters abroad to London, Brussels and Paris for FSU and FAU.