Law and Society
Criminal Justice/Political Science 227: Fall 2005
Professor Todd C. PeppersClassroom: West 117
Department of Public AffairsE-mail:
Roanoke College Phone: (540) 375-2417
Office: West 212 Office Hours: 12-2 (W)
“The life of the law is not logic, but experience.”
- Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
Introduction
The law is an omnipresent part of our lives. Every day we are affected in small and dramatic ways by the law, whether from getting a parking ticket, entering into a sales contract, seeking monetary compensation for a wrong inflicted upon us by another, or having our liberty placed in jeopardy by a state that seeks to punish us for a criminal act. Despite the myriad ways that law intertwines with our lives, we tend to think of the law as a set of rules and norms that is impervious to economic, social and political forces. This is not true. We, as members of society, affect and are affected by the law.
We will start the semester by studying our legal system, namely, the basic rules, institutions and actors that comprise the system, before turning to the relationship between law and social and political forces. In the second part of the course, we will explore some major social issues that the law has attempted to resolve. In order to more fully understanding this dynamic process, we will tackle cases studies on critical social issues as well as focuson one area of substantive civil law – tort law.
Readings
Stephen Vago. Law and Society (8th edition). Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall.
M. Ethan Katsh and William Rose. Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Legal Issues. Guilford: McGraw-Hill.
Gerald M. Stern. The Buffalo Creek Disaster. New York: Random House
Additional handouts to be provided by instructor
Movies
Cider House Rules, A Civil Action, Monster, The Sweet Hereafter(on reserve)
Grading
Your final grade will be calculated as follows:
In-class case quizzes on movies10%
Class participation and attendance:10%
In-class “issues” presentations:10%
Examination No. 1:30%
Final Examination:40%
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In-class Presentations
You will be divided into teams and will participate in an in-class presentation and debate on a legal topic contained in Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Legal Issues. Two teams will be assigned to each issue, and each team will give an initial power point presentation on their topic before engaging in a debate. Class members not assigned to the teams are expected to have also prepared to discuss/debate the assigned topic. A handout regarding the specifics of this assignment will be distributed later in the semester.
Class attendance
Each student has two (2) unexcused absences this semester. You may use them without having your class participation and attendance grade affected. All other absences must be excused by the instructor or your participation and attendance grade will be lowered. Use your unexcused absences wisely. If you are a member of an athletic team or other college club and know that you will be missing class in the coming semester, please let me know immediately – I will be much more willing to accommodate your absences if I am informed at the beginning of the semester.
Disability Issues
If you are on record with the College’s Special Services as having special academic or physical needs requiring accommodations, please discuss this with me as soon as possible. We need to discuss your accommodations before they can be implemented. Also, please note that arrangements for extended times on exams and testing in a semi-private setting must be made at least one week before the exams. Your disability will be treated confidentially, of course, but I will need sufficient warning to make the necessary arrangements. If you believe you are eligible for accommodations but have not yet formally contacted Special Services, contact the Office of Academic Services (x2248).
Academic Integrity
Cheating of any form or degree will not be tolerated. Please familiarize yourself with Roanoke College’s Academic Integrity System, which can be found in the Student Handbook. To quote an old legal maxim, “ignorance of the law is no excuse.”
Cell phones and Pagers
Cell phones and pagers must be turned off prior to entering the classroom or lab. The first time a cell phone or pager rings during class (or you are caught using such a device), you will purchase donuts and juice for the entire class; the second time, you will be excused from class and receive an “F” that day for class participation. Of course, the use of any electronic device during a quiz or exam is strictly prohibited. This includes PalmPilots, Pocket PCs, and Blackberrys. Any use of such devices during a quiz or exam will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
Course Schedule
Part I: Law and Legal Systems
Week 1:Introduction to course and syllabus
(Aug. 29-Sept. 2)
Week 2:Introduction to This Semester’s Topics
(Sept. 5-9)Reading: Chapter 1 (Vago)
Week 3:A Healthy Dose of Theory
(Sept. 12-18)Reading: Chapter 2 (Vago)
Week 4:The Basic Organization of Legal Systems & the Legal Profession
(Sept. 19-23)Reading: Chapters 3 & 8 (Vago)
Week 5:Lawmaking
(Sep. 26-30)Reading: Chapter 4 (Vago)
Out of class exercise on law making
Movie: The Cider House Rules (watch before September 27th)
Week 6:Legal and Social Culture
(Oct. 3-7)Reading: Handouts
Examination One (October 6th)
II. Role of Law in Social Control, Social Change & Dispute Resolution
Week 7:Law and Social Control
(Oct. 10-14)Reading: Chapter 5 (Vago)
Movie: Monster (watch before October 11th)
Week 8:FALL BREAK
(Oct. 17-21)
Week 9:Law and Dispute Resolution
(Oct. 24-28)Reading: Chapter 6 (Vago)
Movie: The Sweet Hereafter (watch before October 25th)
Week 10:Law and Social Change
(Oct. 31-Nov. 4)Reading: Chapter 7 (Vago)
Week 11:Individual meeting times with Professor Peppers to discuss
(Nov. 7-11)group debate topics
Week 12:Looking at Law and Society Issues Through Tort Law
(Nov. 14-18)Reading: The Buffalo Creek Disasterand handouts on A Civil Action
Movie: A Civil Action (watch before November 17th)
Week 13:Looking at Law and Society Issues Through Tort Law
(Nov. 21-25)Reading: The Buffalo Creek Disasterand handouts on A Civil Action
Thanksgiving Break
Part III: Debating Current Issues
Weeks 14 & 15In-class debates
(Nov. 28-Dec. 2)
(Dec. 5-9)
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