Law and Society
[ Courses]
OFFICE: Interdisciplinary Programs, EBU 3B, Computer Science and Engineering
Building, Room 1108, Warren College
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 UC San Diego 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 advisor 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 the Warren College 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 Law and Society 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 Warren College 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, will count as a Philosophy, Political Science, or Sociology course according to the departmental affiliation of the instructor. Law and Society 101 may be repeated for credit once, for a maximum total of eight units.
Required Courses
- Political Science 40 or Sociology 50–Introduction to Law and Society
- Law and Society 101–Contemporary Legal Issues
- 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 - 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 Thurgood Marshall College students)
Economics
118–Law and Economics: Torts, Property, Crime
119–Law and Economics: Contracts, Credit, Bankruptcy
Ethnic Studies
152–Law and Civil Rights
Environmental Studies
110–Environmental Law
History of Science
131–Science, Technology, and Law
History U.S.
150–American Legal History to 1865
151–American Legal History Since 1865
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–Religion and Law in American History: Foundations to the Civil War
155B–Religion and Law in American History: Civil War to the Present
169–American Legal and Constitutional History
History Topics
134–(formerly ERC 102) International Law: War Crimes and Genocide
Law and Society
101–Contemporary Legal Issues (may be repeated for credit one time;
separate topic required)
102S–Crimes, Civil Wrongs, and Constitution
198–Directed Group Study
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
167–Contemporary Political Philosophy
168–Philosophy of Law
Political Science
13–Power and Justice
40–Introduction to Law and Society
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–Seminar in Constitutional Law
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
145A–International Politics and Drugs
150A–Politics of Immigration
Psychology
162–Psychology and the Law
Sociology
Soc/L 50–Introduction to Law and Society
Soc/B 120S–Special Topics in Culture, Language, and Social Interaction
(prior approval of topic required)
Soc/B 142–Social Deviance
Soc/B 145–Violence and Society
Soc/B 146–Law Enforcement in America
Soc/B 160L–Law and Culture
Soc/B 173–Elite Crime
Soc/C 140–Sociology and the Law
Soc/C 140F–Law and the Workplace
Soc/C 141–Crime and Society
Soc/C 144–Forms of Social Control
Soc/C 152–Social Inequality and Public Policy
Soc/C 159–Special Topics in Social Organizations and Institutions (prior
approval of topic required)
Soc/C 163–Migration and the Law
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 Warren College Interdisciplinary Programs Office.
Recommended Internship Experience
A law-related internship (AIP 197) is recommended and should be arranged at least one quarter in advance through the Academic Internship Program, Literature Building, Second Floor, Room 3210. For each four units of credit, ten hours a week for one quarter and a ten-page research paper are required.
