Narrative, Inference, and Law in Cultural Context
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For almost two decades beginning in the mid-90s, I had the great pleasure and honor of co-teaching with Jerry Bruner a seminar called Culture and Law at the NYU School of Law. Having previously contributed so much to psychology and education, Jerry had become interested in law and all its peculiarities soon after he joined the NYU faculty as a University Professor. Before long he was contributing to our understanding of law’s connection to the minds of those who live in and under it (this led to, among other things, to the influential book, Minding the Law (2000), that he co-wrote with Anthony Amsterdam, another NYU colleague). Among the “other things” that intrigued Jerry was the trilateral relationship of law, psychology and culture. As I had been teaching the Culture and Law seminar for some years, we realized that we had mutual interests (and soon thereafter, mutual affection) so it made perfect sense for us to join intellectual forces in the form of co-teaching. Together with our students and occasional guest scholars, we plumbed those issues. Jerry certainly broadened my understanding of the interior and exterior “worlds” law lives in, and I like to think that his facility with law grew as well. Our joint 2003 conference piece, set out below, will give you a taste of what we were about. But only a taste, because in addition to pursuing our own scholarly writing, for both of us, a principal focus was always on the students. Jerry of course cares enormously about the art of teaching; and few things please him more than a really fine student paper. “Oscar,” he would say, “isn’t [Ms. Or Mrs.’] paper terrific!” I once replied, “Jerry I am so impressed that with all your scholarly projects done and to-be-done, you care so much about student work.” Looking at me quizzically, he made an observation I shall not forget: “Oscar, what the hell are we in this business for if we don’t enjoy good student work!” On a more personal note: Jerry, you are mentor, guide, educator, inspiration, and dear friend.
Source Publication
Jerome S. Bruner beyond 100: Cultivating Possibilities
Source Editors/Authors
Giuseppina Marsico
Publication Date
2015
Recommended Citation
Chase, Oscar G., "Narrative, Inference, and Law in Cultural Context" (2015). Faculty Chapters. 1129.
https://gretchen.law.nyu.edu/fac-chapt/1129
