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Jacob Burns Moot Court
On March 10, 2010, Sergio Muñoz Sarmiento led a classroom debate on the ethical implications inherent in Ethan & Joel Coen’s filmic adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s No Country For Old Men from within a mock court room theater. The two-hour event was part Socratic method, typical of many law classes, and a more relaxed, informal discussion between Sarmiento and the audience.
Sarmiento is the Associate Director for Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA) in New York City and an Adjunct Instructor of Clinical Law at Brooklyn Law School.
Where else to have a discussion about the law of violence but in a moot court?
The Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law of Yeshiva University graciously allowed us to use the space
Sergio started the evening by asking the audience what “No Country for Old Men” was about
Part Socratic method, part relaxed discussion, the event involved audience participation
Didn’t do the reading? Hope that Sergio doesn't call on you!
Note taking was encouraged in order to refer back to previous points
“I’m sorry, co-counsel, I can’t remember…”
The event was attended by more than 50 people, with a mix of law students and folks with no legal background
”Do you believe, or do you know?” A common question, designed to elicit confidence or otherwise…
”If the rule you followed brought you to this, of what use was the rule?”
