A course taught by Dr. Mathieu Deflem at the University of South Carolina.
COURSE OBJECTIVES SOCY 540 SOCY540
This course is designed for upper-level undergraduates who major or minor in sociology and is also open to graduate and law-school students. It reviews the most important developments, both theoretical and empirical, in the sociology of law. This is not a course in law, but in the sociology of law. The goal of the class is to understand some of the specific characteristics of the manner in which sociologists study law as well as to explain some of the patterns and dynamics of law in a variety of social settings.
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to know and understand the manner in which sociologists study law and empirically analyze relevant dynamics of law and law-related phenomena in a variety of social settings. Successive sections of this course will focus on: classical theoretical contributions to the sociology of law; selected chapters in modern sociology of law; and a useful selection of empirical themes of law and law-related processes and structures to which the sociological theories will be applied. These empirical topics include, but are not necessarily limited to: law and economy; law and politics; law and culture; social structure and law; legality and legitimacy; the legal profession; law and inequality; and globalization and law.
Consult the academic calendar for important dates. Useful information is also provided by the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, such as its integrity policies (including the Honor Code and the Student Code of Conduct). Information is also available online about academic regulations and the Student Success Center.
Registered students can access all course materials on Blackboard (Ultra Course View).
Consult the academic calendar for important dates. Useful information is also provided by the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, such as its integrity policies (including the Honor Code and the Student Code of Conduct). Information is also available online about academic regulations and the Student Success Center.
Registered students can access all course materials on Blackboard (Ultra Course View).
CONTENTS
Introduction: Sociology, Society, and LawPart I. Theoretical Foundations of the Sociology of Law
1) Law and the Rise of the Social SciencesPart II. Development and Variations of the Sociology of Law
2) Max Weber on the Rationalization of Law
3) Emile Durkheim on Law and Social Solidarity
4) The Theoretical Move Towards the Sociology of Law5) From Sociological Jurisprudence to Sociology of Law6) Sociology of Law and the Antinomies of Modern Thought
Part III. Sociological Dimensions of Law
READINGS
7) Law and Economy: The Regulation of the Free MarketPart IV. Special Problems of Law
8) Law and Politics: The Role of Democratic Law
9) Law and Integration: The Legal Profession
10) Law and Culture: The Balance of Values Through Norms
11) Social Control: The Enforcement of Law
12) The Globalization of Law
Students should conduct the readings as specified in the Schedule. The instructor will provide regular announcements and emails that will guide students on the readings and course assignments at least twice a week.
• COURSE BOOK: There is one course book for this class: Sociology of Law: History and Systematics by Mathieu Deflem. This course book is available on Blackboard as a PDF file and is especially useful in theoretical respects. The Summary Notes and the Articles (see below) follow the same themes as the book, so the various readings clearly overlap. Indeed, all readings and course materials mutually inform one another, providing various levels of detail.
• ARTICLES: A collection of scholarly articles on various empirical aspects of law are posted on Blackboard. These are mostly recent sociological writings that illustrate some of the most important themes discussed in the course book. These articles are essential to provide more in-depth and up-to-date learning resources.
• SUMMARY NOTES: A brief but useful set of Summary Notes is posted that review the key points of the readings. These notes do not substitute for students’ individual readings of the course book and the articles, but they provide a useful summary of the most important issues.
• VIDEOS: Mini-Lecture Videos as well as other videos and visual illustrations are posted on Blackboard along with a list of helpful review questions to study the readings. These resources are very useful for students to understand and study the other course materials.
The syllabus and the readings, including the Course Book and the Summary Notes, are posted as PDF files in the Course Documents section on Blackboard. Students are required to download these files! (The additional books required for graduate students are also posted.). Additionally included is a PDF of the PowerPoints for the Mini-Lecture Videos, but this is just optional because it merely summarizes what is much better explained in the other readings. All course materials comply with copyright and fair use policies.
NOTE: REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
Graduate students have to complete all of the readings and assignments that are specified for undergraduates as well as several additional requirements, including a final research paper. Supplementary required readings and further specifications of the assignments will be made available by the course instructor.
