This is the overview for the SUMMER
session. Click here for regular semester version.
 This
course is designed for upper-level undergraduates who major or minor
in sociology and is also open to graduate and law-school students. It reviews
the most important developments, both theoretical and empirical, in the
sociology of law. This is not a course in law, but in the sociology of
law. The goal of the class is to understand some of the specific characteristics
of the manner in which sociologists study law as well as to explain some
of the patterns and dynamics of law in a variety of social settings.
Upon
successful completion of this course, students should be able to know and
understand the manner in which sociologists study law and empirically analyze
relevant dynamics of law and law-related phenomena in a variety of social
settings. Successive sections of this course will focus on: classical theoretical
contributions to the sociology of law; selected chapters in modern sociology
of law; and a useful selection of empirical themes of law and law-related
processes and structures to which the sociological theories will be applied.
These empirical topics include, but are not necessarily limited to: law
and economy; law and politics; law and culture; social structure and law;
legality and legitimacy; the legal profession; law and inequality; and
globalization and law.
Prerequisites:
A necessary
prerequisite for this course is any sociology 300-level course, or SOCY
507, or consent of the instructor. Graduate and law-school students who
wish to take this course must consult the instructor prior to enrolling
in the course.
My
course
evaluations are available from my Student Pages.
The course syllabus is made available
to students before the first class meeting. |
