Mission

The University of Southern California's Center for Law, History and Culture is devoted to encouraging the study of law as an historical and cultural institution. The law stands at the center of virtually every social, political, linguistic and cultural domain. It plays a critical role in shaping our most basic concepts and categories of thought and identity, and responds in turn to social and historical transformations. CLHC aims to support scholars who explore the law's position at the nexus of society from a variety of theoretical perspectives, including history, literature, philosophy, political science, gender studies, economics, and legal theory.

It further aims to infuse those perspectives into the curriculum, thereby encouraging students to consider law from an historical and cultural perspective. CLHC brings together faculty members from the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences and faculty from the Law School to foster the interdisciplinary study of law.

It sponsors a wide range of scholarly and cultural activities, including faculty workshops, book talks, seminars, and conferences, as well as programs designed to provide support to students and emerging scholars.