CRIM 3321: Sociology of Law
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
After successfully completing this course, you will be able to:
- 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
CRIM 3321: Sociology of Law includes the following 10 modules:
1. Introduction to Sociology of Law
- Course Overview
- Conceptualizations of Law
- Types of Law
- Functions/Dysfunction of Law
2. Legal Literacy
- Awareness of Law and its Function
- Role of Media in Shaping Awareness
3. Theoretical Perspectives
- The European Pioneers
- Classical Sociological Theories
- Socio-legal theorists
- Contemporary Law and Society Theorists
- Current Intellectual Movements in Law
4. The Organization of Law
- Dispute Categories
- The Organization of Courts
- Participants in Court Processes
- The Flow of Litigation
- Sentencing in Canada
5. Lawmaking
- Perspectives on Lawmaking
- Sources of Impetus for Law
- Protest Activity and Social Movements
- The Internet and Social Movements
- Disabilities and the Law
6. Law and Social Control
- Informal and Formal Social Controls
- Social Control and the Family
- Criminal Sanctions
- Crimes Without Victims
- Gender and the Law
7. Law and Dispute Resolution
- Methods of Dispute Resolution
- Youth and the Law
8. Law and Social Change
- Social Changes as Causes of Legal Change
- Sexuality and the Law
- Law as an Instrument of Social Change
- Aboriginal Peoples and the Law
9. The Legal Profession
- The Evolution of the Canadian Legal Profession
- The Profession Today
- Social Class and the Law
10. Researching Law in Society
- Methods of Inquiry
- The Impact of Sociology on Social Policy
Required text and materials
The following textbooks are required for this course:
Vago, S., Nelson, A., Nelson, V., & Barkan, S. E. (2018). Law and society (5th
Canadian ed.). New York: Routledge.
ISBN-13: 978-1-138-21591-7
Type: Textbook
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 1 | 10% |
| Assignment 1: News article critique | 10% |
| Quiz 2 | 10% |
| Assignment 2: Article critique | 10% |
| Assignment 3: Photo essay | 20% |
| Online postings | 10% |
| Final Examination * | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
* Mandatory
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.
