Dr. Edward Morse's
Sociology 670 Course
Syllabus:
Books: The Behavior of Law, Donald Black
Sociological Justice, Donald Black
Law in Modern Society, Roberto Unger
Law and Society, Steven Vago
The Sociology of Law, William Evan (on Reserve)
I. Introduction:
Read: Bill of Rights (handout)
The Constitution of The United States (handout)
The Declaration of Independence (handout)
Project: Observation on Canal Street Folkways, Taboos, Mores, and Laws.
(Minimum 5 hours Observation) Short descriptive paper, 3-5 pages
II. Law and Its Place in Society
Read: Law and Society, Chapters 1, 2, 8
The Sociology of Law, Chapters 1, 2, 19, 20
Law in Modern Society, Read lightly
Project: February 16th to February 27th Mardi Gras Observation of changing Normative Structure (Minimum 3 hours observation) Due March 7th.
III. Theories of Law (Scavenger Hunt)
Read: The Sociology of Law, Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12
Select term paper topic: Outline of paper and references to be used must be submitted for approval by TBA
IV. Function of Law
Read: The Sociology of Law, Chapters 13, 14, 15, 17
"The Differing Realms of the Law", American Anthropologist, Special Publication. The Ethnography of Law Edited by Laura Nader, Vol. 67, No. 6, Part 2 (Dec. 1965), pp. 33-42.
"Legal Levels and the Multiplicity of Legal Systems in Human Societies", Journal of Conflict Resolution 11, (1967), pp.2-26.
"Fundamental Legal Concepts as Applied in the Study of Primitive Law", E. Adamson Hoebal, Yale Law Journal, 51 (1942) 951-966.
"Positivism and the Separation of Law and Morals", H.L.A. Hart, Harvard Law Review, 71 (Feb. 1958), pp. 593-629.
"Human Interaction and the Law", Lou L. Fuller, American Journal of Jurisprudence 14 (1969), pp. 1-36.
Project: Observation In Court Room (minimum 3 hours) Short descriptive paper: 2-5 pages. Due date TBA
V. Law and Social Control
Read: Law and Society, Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6
The Sociology of Law, Chapters 19, 20
IV. Law and Social Change
Read: Law and Society, Chapter 7
The Sociology of Law, Chapters 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 36, 37, 38
VII. The Behavior of Law and Its Reaction to Changing Society
Read: The Behavior of Law, Black
"Toward a Social theory of Law: An Essay on the Study of Law and Development", David M. Trubeck, Yale Law Journal, Vol. 82, No. 1 (Nov. 1972), pp. 1-50.
VIII. Applied Sociology: Service Learning Presentations. Your presentation should answer the following question, "What did you learn about law from your placement?" Each presentation will take 5 minutes and will be done in the form of a poster to be presented in April.
IX. Conclusion:
Reread: Law and Modern Society
Poster Presentation of Term Paper Project
Project: Maximum 12-minute verbal presentation of Term Paper.
Newspaper work: Each student is required to read the Sunday New York Times each week prior to coming to class. You will need your own newspaper so that you may cut out articles for your poster presentation. You may order your Sunday New York Times by calling 279-6001 and asking to order the Sunday Times for the semester (January 14th to April 22nd). You must pay them before they will deliver the paper. Please tell them to deliver the Sunday NYT to Dr. Morse at 2126 Calhoun Street. I will ask the distributor for a list of all persons. If your name is not on that list it will be assumed that you are not doing the assignment. Failure to subscribe and have it delivered to Dr. Morse's address will effect the grade in the class. You will be able to pick up your copy sometimes after 10am most weekends. Please make sure you have read the papers by the start of class each Wednesday.
Internships: Each student will participate in service learning at one of three service sites. You are required to do the following activities: Keep a diary of what you do and how it relates to the course. (If at any time what you are doing does not relate to the course, you or people at the site are doing something wrong, and you must stop at once and beep me at 363-0751!!!!) Spend a minimum of 40 hours at your internship.
Grading:
Midterm 20%
Class Participation 20%
Term Paper & Presentation 30%
Field Projects 20%
Poster Presentation of Field Placement 10%
Final Exam (you must pass the Final Exam to pass the course) P/F
*You are expected to be prepared and attend all sessions. Each student may miss only one class during the semester, so schedule carefully.
