This book is designed for 3-, 4-, or 5-credit courses about the general discipline of statutory interpretation. With extensive notes and lightly edited cases drawn from a variety of substantive fields, the book aspires both (1) to familiarize students with interpretive techniques commonly used by lawyers and judges and (2) to help students think rigorously and systematically about those techniques. Topics covered include: the interplay between purpose and text the canons debates over the use of legislative history the background supplied by other statutes, judicial decisions, and the common law Chevron deference the preemption of state law by federal statutes.