Fall 2023  |  SOC 4101W Section 001: Sociology of Law (18739)

Instructor(s)
Class Component:
Lecture
Credits:
3 Credits
Grading Basis:
A-F or Audit
Instructor Consent:
No Special Consent Required
Instruction Mode:
In Person
Class Attributes:
UMNTC Liberal Education Requirement
Meets With:
SOC 4101V Section 001
SOC 5101 Section 001
Times and Locations:
Regular Academic Session
 
09/05/2023 - 12/13/2023
Tue, Thu 04:00PM - 05:15PM
UMTC, West Bank
Blegen Hall 120
Enrollment Status:
Open (44 of 50 seats filled)
Also Offered:
Course Catalog Description:
This course will consider the relationship between law and society, analyzing law as an expression of cultural values, a reflection of social and political structure, and an instrument of social control and social change. Emphasizing a comparative perspective, we begin by discussing theories about law and legal institutions. We then turn our attention to the legal process and legal actors, focusing on the impact of law, courts, and lawyers on the rights of individuals. Although this course focuses on the US legal system, we will explore issues of the relationship between US law and global law and concepts of justice. prereq: [[SOC 1001] and [SOC 1101 or 3101 or 3102]] recommended, Sociology majors/minors must register A-F
Class Notes:
Click this link for more detailed course information: http://classinfo.umn.edu/?boyle014+SOC4101W+Fall2023
Class Description:
Law is an institution of enormous social impact, where the most pressing and controversial issues of our time are debated (e.g., When is a collection of cells a human being? Should the state be allowed to kill juveniles who commit crimes? Who owns electronic information?). Sometimes people turn to law for protection and relief; at other times, they seek to avoid it at all costs. Law can be a force for achieving equality and redistributing power in society; yet it can also be conservative, rooted in age-old traditions and customs, with tightly controlled boundaries. Law is located in myriad places, from university codes of conduct to international treaties on torture. It permeates every aspect of modern life. In this course, students will learn about the sources, content, and impact of law from a sociological perspective.
Who Should Take This Class?:
Graduate students whose research plans relate engage the law in some way.
Learning Objectives:
  1. You will come to recognize common assumptions about law, and how these allow law to maintain its legitimacy and power.

  2. You will be introduced to technical language and the operation of law in Minnesota, the U.S. and the world; and understand the dramatic differences in how lawyers and sociologists talk about law.

  3. In consultation with the professor, you will work on a writing project that advances your progress through your graduate program.

Grading:
This changes a bit, depending on the semester, e.g., how many graduate students enroll. The specifics will be spelled out in the first week of class.

Graduate students will complete the online reading quizzes and reflections, along with the rest of the class.
They will NOT take the midterm or final exams.
They will help select the readings and guide the discussion for one "outside class" session--see course description above.
A substantial portion of the grade will be a writing project, such as a literature review in preparation for a Prelim Exam.
Graduate students may be asked to lead or co-lead a class period and/or mentor undergraduates on group presentations; they will NOT be part of the group presentations.
Participation will be up to 10% of the grade.
Exam Format:
Quizzes are short answer, fill-in-the-blank, and multiple-choice questions. Graduate students will not take exams.
Class Format:
Most classes are a mix of lecture, video, and discussion. Discussion is focused on the content of, and connections among, course readings.
Textbooks:
https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/18739/1239
Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
12 April 2023

ClassInfo Links - Fall 2023 Sociology Classes

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