You’re in casual conversation with a fellow faculty member, or being interviewed for a position as a subject specialist and someone asks, "Well, of course, you have read the work of Prof. X in this area, right?"  

This is the scenario that the "Research Canons" Project, underway on  Prawfsblawg this week, is trying to correct.  Both faculty and students may be interested in following the discussion as members of the academic legal blogosphere attempt to list the required readings in two dozen areas of law.  They are starting with Civil Procedure tomorrow.  Recommended reading for future scholars.