Course Description
The nature of law, and the ways the legal system reflects its broader social context.
Athena Title
Sociology of Law
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in SOCI 4830W
Prerequisite
(SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1101H or SOCI 2600) or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The study of any society cannot be complete unless it takes into account its legal system. Law is a natural social phenomenon that pervades all aspects of social interaction. The course begins with examining basic issues of social control and how the need for law emerges in complex society. Then, the course examines different legal systems, focusing primarily on the history and traditions of Common Law and European civil law. As a final stage to understanding the functioning of law, the major philosophies of law are examined. The remainder of the course focuses on law in the context of social issues such as mental health, pornography, international crises, and countries that have little need for formal law.
Topical Outline
1. A general perspective on the law social structure and human personality the legal system definition of the law 2. Major legal systems in the world the Romano-Germanic Family Common Law Marxist legal systems 3. Legal Philosophy natural law analytical positivism sociological jurisprudence legal realism radical theory 4. The Nuremberg Trial the issue of justice or victors' vengeance prosecution and defense pleas 5. The question of deterrence imprisonment capital punishment 6. The law and mental illness defining mental illness insanity, competency and civil commitment 7. Obscenity defining pornography and obscenity research findings 8. Social control in China Chinese history Chinese culture and legal practices
Syllabus