This seminar will analyze questions about the appropriate objective and shape of regulation and law across a number of areas in corporate law, securities regulation, and capital markets. Each week will discuss one to two recent or classic papers addressing issues such as: the role of the government in how the stock market evolves; the appropriate objective of corporations; the moral responsibility of shareholders for corporate policy and wrongdoing; the mandate of central banks; and the design of the public/private divide in securities law. Each student enrolled in the class will be responsible for reading all papers; writing three short analytical papers related to some of them; and participating insightfully in class discussion. Background in the relevant bodies of law, in empirical research, and in finance will certainly be useful, but is not necessary for anyone interested in exploring the relevant areas.