Sociology of Law (308-0-1)

Instructors

Robert Nelson
Robert L. Nelson is Professor of Sociology and Law at Northwestern University and theMacCrate Research Chair in the Legal Profession at the American Bar Foundation (where hewas 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 hasauthored or edited 10 books and numerous articles, including The Making of Lawyers'Careers: Inequality and Opportunity in the American Legal Profession (U Chicago Press2023), Legalizing Gender Inequality, Cambridge University Press 1999, which won the prizefor 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 LawPerpetuates Inequality, University of Chicago Press 2017. His current research is a socio-legal analysis of sexual abuse by Catholic priests.

Meeting Info

Locy Hall 111: Tues, Thurs 9:30AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

This course examines the relationship between law and thedistribution of power in society, with a particular emphasis on law andsocial change in the United States. Readings will be drawn from thesocial sciences and history, as well as selected court cases that raisecritical questions about the role of race, gender, and sexualorientation in American society. Among the material we will examineare the documents made public in the shooting death of MichaelBrown in Ferguson, Missouri. Students should be aware that some ofthis material is graphic and disturbing.

(Also taught as SOCIOL 318)

Learning Objectives

How to critically analyze legal material from a sociological perspective and to analyze the relationship between law and inequality in American society.

Teaching Method

There are two 90-minute sessions each week that combine lecture and class discussion. Teams of students will lead class discussions on a rotating basis.

Evaluation Method

One in-class writing essay, two mid-terms with essay questions andfive short answer questions, class attendance, and classparticipation.

Class Materials (Required)

All materials for this course will be made available on Canvas or through the University Library - no purchase necessary.

Class Attributes

Advanced Expression
Ethical and Evaluative Thinking Foundational Disci
Social and Behavioral Science Foundational Discipl
U.S. Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area
Ethics & Values Distro Area