Law and Society

Courses

OFFICE: Interdisciplinary Programs, EBU 3B, Computer Science and Engineering Building, Room 1108, Warren College
Web site: http://warren.ucsd.edu/law

Law and society is an interdisciplinary minor that emphasizes the complexity and interrelationship of legal, social, and ethical issues in their historical context. Although it is administered by Warren College, it is available to all UCSD students considering law-related careers or those with a general interest in law as a social institution. The purpose of the program is to enhance students’ critical analysis of social and ethical issues related to law and of the legal implications and ramifications of policy and decision-making in their major fields of study. Students examine the role of the legal system and specific legal issues from the perspectives of the social sciences and humanities. Social forces, historical questions, and issues of values will be considered in the context of the legal system. The focus of the minor is on the process of law—how the law both reflects and defines basic social values—and its relation to the political, economic, and social conflicts within society.

The interdisciplinary content of the law and society minor offers UCSD students the opportunity to examine law-related issues from the perspectives of a broad range of disciplines including: communication, anthropology, economics, environmental studies, ethnic studies, history, linguistics, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, urban studies and planning, and critical gender studies.

Students should consult an academic adviser in their college provost’s office to determine how the law and society minor can best meet their college’s graduation requirements. Declarations must first be reviewed and approved by the coordinator of Interdisciplinary Programs and then by the students’ college academic advising office.

Students are strongly urged to supplement the law and society minor with a law-related internship. Both local and out-of-town internships are available to juniors and seniors with at least a 2.5 grade-point average (some placements require a 3.0 GPA) through the Academic Internship Program. The Academic Internship Program offers local placements with lawyers, judges, elected officials, government offices, and public interest groups. In addition, placements are available in Washington, D.C. with senators, representatives, legislative committees, and political action committees. Students may earn from four to sixteen units of academic credit for the internship experience. To apply AIP197 and courses in the UC/DC Program toward minor requirements, contact the Interdisciplinary Programs coordinator.

A number of extracurricular events and programs are also available to students interested in law. Information on these programs and activities is available in the Interdisciplinary Programs Office, EBU 3B, Computer Science and Engineering Building, Room 1108, Warren College, or call (858) 534-1704. Web site: http://warren.ucsd.edu/law

Law and Society Minor Requirements

The minor consists of seven courses, five of which must be upper-division, chosen from the courses listed below. To assure an interdisciplinary learning experience, students must include at least one course from each of the following academic departments: history, philosophy, political science, and sociology. Law and Society 101, Contemporary Legal Issues, may be counted as either political science or sociology, and may be repeated for credit once, for a maximum total of eight units.

Required Courses

1. Political Science 40 or Sociology 50–Introduction to Law and Society
2. Law and Society 101–Contemporary Legal Issues
3. One of the following four courses:
   History US 150–American Legal History to 1865
   History US 151–American Legal History since 1865
   Political Science 104A–The Supreme Court and the Constitution
   Political Science 104B–Civil Liberties— Fundamental Rights
4. One of the following two courses:
   Philosophy 168–Philosophy of Law
   Sociology/C-140–Sociology of Law

ELECTIVES CHOSEN FROM THE FOLLOWING:

Anthropology: General

100–Topics in Sociocultural Anthropology (approval required)

Communication/SF

139A-B–Law, Communication, and Freedom of Expression

Critical Gender Studies

106–Gender, Equality, and the Law
107–Gender and Reproductive Rights

Dimensions of Culture

2–Justice (open to Marshall College students)

Economics

118A-B–Law and Economics

Ethnic Studies

152–Law and Civil Rights

Environmental Studies

110–Environmental Law

History U.S.

152A–A Constitutional History of the U.S. to 1865
152B–A Constitutional History of the U.S. since 1865
153–American Political Trials
155A-B–Law and Religion in American History
169–American Legal and Constitutional History

Law and Society

101–Contemporary Legal Issues (may be repeated for credit one time; separate topic required)
102S–Crimes, Civil Wrongs, and Constitution

Linguistics/General

105–Law and Language
176–Language of Politics and Advertising

Philosophy

10–Introduction to Logic
12–Logic and Decision Making
162–Contemporary Moral Issues
163–Bio-Medical Ethics
165–Professional Ethics
167–Contemporary Political Philosophy

Political Science

13–Power and Justice
104A–The Supreme Court and the Constitution
104B–Civil Liberties—Fundamental Rights
104C–Civil Liberties—The Rights of Criminals and Minorities
104D–Judicial Politics
104F–Constitutional Law Seminar
104I–Law and Politics—Courts and Political Controversy
104L–Positive Political Theory of Law
104M–Law and Sex
117–Violence and Social Order
140A–International Law and Organizations

Psychology

162–Psychology and the Law

Sociology

50L–Introduction to Law and Society
120S/B–Special Topics in Culture, Language, and Social Interaction (prior approval of topic required)
140F/C–Law and the Workplace
141/C–Crime and Society
142/B–Social Deviance
144/C–Forms of Social Control
146/B–Law Enforcement in America
145/B–Violence and Society
159/C–Special Topics in Social Organizations and Institutions (prior approval of topic required)
160L/B–Law and Culture
173/B–Elite Crime

Urban Studies and Planning

124–Land Use Planning

Students may petition to substitute courses in the minor that have substantial legal content. Petitions should be submitted to the Interdisciplinary Programs Office.

Recommended Internship Experience

Law-related internship (AIP 197): To be arranged at least one quarter in advance through the Academic Internship Program, Literature Building, Second Floor. For each four units of credit, ten hours a week for one quarter and a ten-page research paper are required.