ABSTRACT
Critical legal rhetoric involves both deconstructive and reconstructive movements. Researchers can simultaneously interrogate the taken-for-granteds of dominant rhetorics while trying to provide a "vernacular" voice for those alternative views that circulate in the legal and public spheres. Centuries later, medieval commentators tried to control the apparent arbitrariness and capriciousness of their kings' and queens' edicts by demanding that laws be written down so that all subjects could clearly determine their rights and duties. The appearance of law schools and bar associations across the country dashed any hope that legal studies would play a significant role in the education of all citizens. In the last three decades of the nineteenth century, lawyers, judges, and academicians began debating among themselves about the best way to include "philosophical" or "scientific" classification in regimented curriculums. The chapter also presents an overview on the key concepts discussed in this book.
