Law and Society
Main Campus Hybrid Course
GENERAL PURPOSE
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to a broad overview of the law from a sociological perspective. Topics include legal systems, functions and dysfunctions of law, theoretical perspectives, law and social control, law and social change, and the legal profession. We will be covering criminal law, constitutional law, international law, administrative law, and environmental law. The law of the sea will be used as an illustration of international law and international environmental law.
SPECIFIC LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of the term, each student who has successfully completed the course will be able to:
1) identify and discuss current issues, debates, and findings in the field of law and society (cases in criminal law textbook)
2) differentiate between legal and scientific thinking (lecture summaries)
3) understand the difference between justice and due process (lecture summaries, plea bargaining simulation)
4) assess the various influences on the law, such as politics, economics, norms, values, beliefs, and technology (lecture summaries)
5) explain the legal system and its functions (lecture summaries and textbook chapter summaries)
6) appreciate the complexity of criminal law, constitutional law, environmental law, and international law (lecture summaries and textbook chapter summaries)
7) analyze the role of law in both continuity and social change (lecture summaries)
8) work collaboratively with other students in the course (plea bargaining simulation)
9) compare domestic criminal law with international law (lecture summaries)
The method of assessment of specific learning objectives is in parentheses at the end of each objective.
REQUIRED READINGS
Lippman, Matthew. 2007. Contemporary Criminal Law: Concepts, Cases, and Controversies, Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications.
Online Lectures.
COURSE SPECIFICS
Attendance and Participation. You are expected to participate in all class discussions and in the plea bargaining simulation. You are also expected to attend all classes during the term. You will receive a grade of "F" for each day missed for your participation grade. However, you will be allowed one absence during the term without penalty. You will not be allowed to participate in the plea bargaining simulation if you do not turn in the homework assignments on time.
Weekly Summaries. There will be a weekly summary of what you have learned from the reading materials assigned for each week. The summaries will be graded each week, and you will be sent your grades on return email. ALL assignments must be completed and be at university level work to pass this course. Grades will drop for each day an assignment is late. No papers will be accepted more than seven days late. The last assignment will not be accepted late.
Incompletes. I do not allow students to take an "Incomplete" for this course. If you do not believe you will be able to finish the course, you should withdraw early to get any refund of your tuition that you are due.
Course Policy on Plagiarism. All scholarly endeavors are based on one fundamental principle--the honesty and integrity of those engaged in the search for truth. If a researcher fabricates facts or intentionally distorts materials in interpreting data, a great disservice has been done to his or her colleagues and to the academic discipline in question. Truth and knowledge cannot be attained in an atmosphere of dishonesty and distrust. As persons engaged in academic work, I expect students to adhere to this ethic of honesty in writing papers and taking exams. Copying the work of someone else or having someone else write one's paper is such a gross violation of the integrity of academia that its incidence could result in the failure of the entire course for the student(s) involved. I trust that the above is an unnecessary warning.
The above schedule and procedures, and the course outline and reading list are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.
COURSE GRADING WORKSHEET
Weekly Chapter and Lecture Summaries, 50%
Participation in Plea Bargaining Simulation, 50%