Why do societies have laws? What function do they serve the people? In this course, students will be dissecting these questions and looking for possible answers.
Although the law varies from society to society, many do have recurring themes. Therefore, law can be studied as a tool for social control, dispute settlements and even social change. We live in a complex world -- a world full of conflicts -- and the law provides a predictable method for reducing and resolving these conflicts.
Many scholars focus their study on the conflicting role of law as a tool for both change and control. Sociolegal scholars look at the law as an agent for change in relation to conflicts about race, gender and social equity.
The study of law and society incorporates many different perspectives and academic disciplines. The content of law is constantly changing through a variety of legislative and judicial decisions. The role of law is constantly challenged when we examine the impact it has on a society.