SO 312A - Sociology of Law

Institution:

Merrimack College

Subject:

Description:

This course addresses the social context of law, the legal structure, and the relationship between law and society. Law is at base a social phenomenon; we create laws to address social problems, settle disputes, and exert power over others. Just as society and culture are always changing, so does the law. In turn, as law evolves, it also affects culture. There are hundreds, even thousands, of laws constructed each year in this country. In the U.S., with fifty state legislatures and the federal government enacting new laws, and with the enactment of thousands of municipal and county ordinances, the sheer magnitude of law is overwhelming. Additionally, there are court decisions at the state and federal levels which often create new laws or modify existing laws. In this course, we will only examine a fraction of these. The larger goal of this course is to gain an understanding of the significant relationship which law plays in our everyday lives and its role in society. Throughout the course, we will address several questions: What can a sociological perspective contribute to the study of law? How and why do laws arise? How do legal systems reflect the values of the society? What is the relationship between law and inequality in our political economy? How can laws promote (or inhibit) social change? Prerequisite: SO 201A or consent of the instructor. Satisfies the social science distribution requirement. Three hours a week.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.merrimack.edu

Phone Number:

(978) 837-5000

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Semester

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