AP/SOSC 2350 6.00

Law & Society

Founders of Law & Society have said that ""law is too important to leave to lawyers"". It is from this point that the course jumps off: together we will examine law using a variety of eclectic and interrelated disciplines including sociology, anthropology, history, political science, criminology, philosophy, and psychology. Using these social science disciplines and interdisciplinary methods, the interaction between law and society will be evaluated. Among the topics to be discussed are aspects of social control, both in legal and non-legal modes, the influence of societal change and social differentiation, the broad functions of law in society and types of legal systems and thought. The course also examines law, policy and values in Canada with emphasis on specific issues that illustrate the interaction between law and social change. Four key themes are weaved through this course: rights organizing, separation of power, colonialism and social change.
This course is required of all students registered in the Honours Program in Law & Society. Students must achieve a C+ or higher in this required course in order to continue in the Law & Society Program.