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Course Description

Students examine law from a sociological perspective, with particular attention to understanding major theories and empirical studies on various aspects of law and how law works in the real world, or what socio-legal scholars call "law in action." Topics include exploring law as a mode of social control, dispute resolution, social change, and how intersecting factors such as, race/ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, age, and ability shape the law and legal institutions.

Learning outcomes

  • Describe the emergence of socio-legal research and conceptualizations of law.
  • Evaluate media reports and cultural products/images concerning legal issues.
  • Identify and apply the theoretical foundations and historical development of law.
  • Explain how contemporary legal institutions operate.
  • Analyze selected past and current research issues of the sociology of law.
  • Discuss the changing nature and functions of law at the Canadian and the global level.
  • Explain the influence of intersecting factors such as, race/ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, age, and ability on the outcome of legal institutions.

Course topics

  • Introduction to Sociology of Law
  • Legal Literacy
  • Theoretical Perspectives
  • The Organization of Law
  • Lawmaking
  • Law and Social Control
  • Law and Dispute Resolution
  • Law and Social Change
  • The Legal Profession
  • Researching Law in Society

Required text and materials

Students are responsible for purchasing the required materials on their own:

  • Vago, S., Nelson, A., Nelson, V., & Barkan, S. E. (2018). Law and society (5th Canadian ed.). New York: Routledge.
    Type: Textbook. ISBN: 9781138215917 / 9781315443102

NOTE: This item can be purchased directly from the following link.

Assessments

Please be aware that should your course have a final exam, you are responsible for the fee to the online proctoring service, ProctorU, or to the in-person approved Testing Centre. Please contact exams@tru.ca with any questions about this.

To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course, and 50% or higher on the final mandatory exam.

Quiz 110%
Assignment 1: News article critique10%
Quiz 210%
Assignment 2: Article critique10%
Assignment 3: Photo essay20%
Online postings10%
Final Examination *30%
Total100%

* Mandatory

Prerequisites

None.

Recommended requisite(s)

  • CRIM 1011
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Enrol now - select a section to enrol in

Section Title
Sociology of Law
Section Schedule
Any Time (30 weeks duration)
Delivery
Online, self-paced  
Course Fee(s)
Canadian in BC/YT non-credit $862.62 Click here to get more information
Canadian outside BC/YT non-credit $971.70 Click here to get more information
International Student non-credit $1,686.15 Click here to get more information
Available for Credit
3 credits

Open Learning faculty member information

An Open Learning faculty member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.

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