The events included reflections from LJST alumni and faculty, and panel discussions on the impact of LJST on the College. Department Chair Austin Sarat, professor of jurisprudence and social thought, moderated a discussion entitled "Ten Years Down, Many More to Go, Reflections from LJST Faculty."
Members of the LJST faculty discussed what they have learned as a result of their involvement with LJST. David Delaney, a visiting assistant professor of LJST since 1995, talked about what has had the greatest impact on him since his start in the department. "I am allowed to participate in something new, exciting and profoundly humane," Delaney said of the privilege of working in the LJST department.
President Tony Marx noted the benefits of LJST for both students and faculty members. "I certainly understand that LJST both bridged the discipline in terms of scholarship and education and that both students and faculty have been inspired by that cross-disciplinary education," he said.
Associate Professor of LJST Martha Umphrey began working in the LJST department in 1994. "There is a wonderful synergy between my colleagues, my students and this institution that make it a wonderful place to be," said Umphrey.
All of the professors on the panel emphasized the importance of the freedom they have been given by the College in shaping the department. "Some places require that you speak from mastery; Amherst authorizes us, professors, to speak from curiosity," said Sarat.
Many LJST alumni returned to the College to discuss how the LJST department has touched the lives of its students. "LJST taught me how to learn. It is an invaluable interdisciplinary study," said James Chin '94.
Other alumni raved about the professors and the teachings. "By virtue of having a background in LJST, I had lots of different perspectives to bring to an issue," said Henry Patner '96.
"I am proud to be a major in such an interdisciplinary and explorative department, but it disappoints me that LJST classes are among the most bloated and over-enrolled at the College," said Theodore Hertzberg '04. However, current majors noted that while the department is not perfect, it has grown stronger over the last decade.
"Amherst promotes LJST as an offering that is unique to our school. It cannot afford to keep it on the starvation diet of FTEs that it has been for the past few years," Hertzberg said.
The department currently employs two full professors, one of whom is retiring at the end of the year, two associate professors, one assistant professor and two visiting assistant professors.
Some students believe the size of the department is one of its assets. "One of the advantages of the LJST department is its size. Since the department is so small, it encourages an exchange of ideas between students and professors, which is perhaps the greatest teacher," said Ranko Asari '05.
Sarat and Professor of Philosophy Thomas Kearns co-founded the LJST department and were integral in its development. Sarat developed the idea for LJST in 1985 when the College faculty was informed by the then President Peter R. Pouncey that they had been invited to apply for a "fresh combinations" grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The grant was meant to encourage colleges to try new things, according to Sarat.
The conception of the LJST program led to its founding in 1993. The lack of liberal arts education opportunities to study law. "There is something odd about the structure of legal education in the United States. In most other places in the western world, legal education is part of undergraduate education," Sarat said.
"There is a lot to be learned from studying law. There was a unique opportunity to advance a field of knowledge. LJST at Amherst could be a model for interdisciplinary studies across the nation."
Sarat reflected on the past ten years of the LJST department. "LJST expresses what is best about the College, serves the needs of some of the College's best students and has had an impact on the development of legal study throughout the country," said Sarat.