Sociology of Law (408-0-20)
Instructors
Robert L Nelson
Robert L. Nelson is Professor of Sociology and Law at Northwestern University and the MacCrate Research Chair in the Legal Profession at the American Bar Foundation (where he was Director 2004-2015). He holds a J.D. and Ph.D. in sociology, both from Northwestern. He is a leading scholar in the fields of the legal profession and discrimination law. He has authored or edited 10 books and numerous articles, including The Making of Lawyers' Careers: Inequality and Opportunity in the American Legal Profession (U Chicago Press 2023), Legalizing Gender Inequality, Cambridge University Press 1999, which won the prize for best book in sociology in 2001, Urban Lawyers: The New Social Structure of the Bar, University of Chicago Press 2005, and Rights on Trial: How Workplace Discrimination Law Perpetuates Inequality, University of Chicago Press 2017. His current research is a socio-legal analysis of sexual abuse by Catholic priests.
Meeting Info
555 Clark 230: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM
Overview of class
This course is a general introduction to the sociology of law intended for graduate students in all disciplines. The sociology of law treats law as a social institution that is highly intertwined with other aspects of society, including social structure, social behavior, ideology, politics, culture, and the economy. This seminar will cover classic and contemporary works on central topics in the sociology of law, including: the interplay between law and social inequalities; the relation of law, rights, and social movements; the negotiated nature of regulation and enforcement; the relation of law and organizations; the role of litigants, lawyers, and judges as social actors; and legal culture and legal consciousness. The course takes a critical empirical approach to the relationship between law and society.
Learning Objectives
As a graduate seminar, students will be expected to have read and critically assessed readings on classic and contemporary approaches within the sociology of law. They will participate in and lead class discussions, will write a book review, and write a term paper on a topic of interest within the sociology of law.
Teaching Method
Each class session will include a brief lecture, student led discussions of readings, and student presentations of a book review.
Evaluation Method
Evaluation is based on participating and leading class discussions (30%), a 4-5 page book review presented in class (30%), and a term paper with brief class presentation (40%).
Class Materials (Required)
All materials for this course will be made available on Canvas - no purchase necessary.
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Sociology/MORS PhD Students