Curriculum

Students pursuing this area of study will ponder the relationship between law and human behavior and the role of law in society. They will focus their work in three primary areas: philosophies of law, law as a social institution, and law and government. Students will begin their exploration of law in society with the Introduction to Legal Studies and conclude it with a Senior Seminar in Legal Studies, which will encompass a directed research project within a selected theme or topic.

Introduction to Legal Studies is a survey course which attempts to expose students to a variety of disciplinary approaches to the study of law and legal phenomena. It is intended for students who have attained at least sophomore standing and have had some exposure to the social sciences, usually through an introductory course. The Senior Seminar in Legal Studies is open to juniors and seniors who have taken Introduction to Legal Studies and at least two other courses counting toward fulfillment of the concentration requirements (or to students with permission of the director).

The Law and Society Concentration requires students to complete 2 1/2 units of "specified" law-and-society coursework. These units comprise the following: Introduction to Legal Studies (LGLS 110 or 111, 1/2 unit); a semester's work in a philosophy-of-law subject area (philosophy, political science, or history offerings, 1/2 unit); two courses in two different departments examining "law as a social institution" (1 unit); and the Senior Seminar in Legal Studies (1/2 unit). See the LGLS 2012-13 course list for approved courses.