There is no escaping the law -- it is everywhere in society. It regulates everything from the ownership of property to the flow of traffic. Some people believe the law governs too much of what we can and cannot do, while others dispute that without law chaos would break out.
Laws maintain the status quo. Those who can benefit from the law will while others do not have the same benefits depending on their class, race or even gender. Although the law is steeped in tradition, it can function as a tool for change.
Students will have the opportunity to compare and contrast a range of legal systems. They will examine the law in a variety of contexts, systems and societies and note their similarities and differences. This raises the question: Does law create these societies or do different social structures inevitably require different legal structures?
Course Objectives
- By the end of this course, students will be able to differentiate between theories offered to explain the origins and role of law and articulate a position on issues concerning the relationship between law and society.