On Nourishing the Curriculum with a Transnational-Law Lagniappe (from the Association of American Law Schools' Workshop on Integrating Transnational Legal Perspectives into the First-Year Curriculum, Annual Meeting, Torts Panel, January 2006)

Abstract

Transnational law remains in fashion among those who revise the curricula of U.S. law schools. Supplementing traditional domestic materials with studies of international, transnational, and comparative law is indeed a solution. But what is the problem? Pedagogical reform is an experiment, and no experiment can succeed without a plan followed by observation. Much of what passes for transnational legal education (especially in brochures and on websites) lacks seriousness. It is what denizens of New Orleans call a "lagniappe" - that is, a lightweight frill, devoid of intentionality and perceived consequences. The article acknowledges the appeal of a lagniappe, and also offers suggestions for curricular planners who seek to give their students heartier transnational fare.