Modern Legal Theory: Law & Social Movements (LAW-722-001)
Hutchinson
Meets: 11:00 AM - 12:50 PM (W) - Room 527
Enrolled: 14 / Limit: 14
Notices
There are no notices at this time.
Description
This course will examine the relationship between law, justice and the social sciences, including political science, history, and sociology. Using the social sciences as a theoretical framework, the class will provide students with a helpful context for discovering that broad legal change does not occur simply through the work of lawyers applying legal reasoning. Instead, law evolves through a complex interaction of legal, political, economic, and social forces in the domestic and international realms. The course will place particular emphasis on the involvement of social movement actors in the evolution of constitutional and civil rights law. As such, several sessions of the course will examine the impact of feminism, the civil rights movement, anti-poverty actors, labor movement activists, and gay and lesbian advocacy upon law and legal institutions. In addition to these materials, students will examine legal sources, such as court rulings and statutes, in order to examine how politics informs legal analysis and policy. Also guest speakers from legal academia and public interest organizations will attend several sessions in order to present their experiences and research on creating legal change.
Textbooks and Other Materials
The textbook information on this page was provided by the instructor. Students should use this information when considering purchases from the AU Campus Store or other vendors. Students may check to determine if books are currently available for purchase online.
This is officially a “green course.” Students are not required to purchase a textbook or any copied materials. Instead, Professor Hutchinson will provide weekly materials to students via MyWCL. It is imperative that you register to use MyWCL.
First Class Readings
Reading assignments for the first class have been posted to MyWCL.
Syllabus
Use your MyAU username and password to access the syllabus in the following format(s):
Microsoft Word (DOC)
Adobe Acrobat (PDF)