LAW 627SEM - Foundations of Law

This seminar introduces students to the central debates concerning the nature of law, its sources, its relation to politics, religion, power, economics and cultural identity. Among the traditions and topics considered: indigenous legal systems; colonial law; anthropology and sociology of law; legal formalism; legal realism; critical legal studies; feminist legal theory; critical race theory; law and economics; law and culture; law and political economy. Students enrolling for writing credit will write a substantial research paper; other students may write three sustained critical analyses of weekly readings.

Credits: 3