LAW AND CIVILIZATION

Law and Civilization is a seminar class in legal anthropology. It is intended to provide students with an overview of the different legal systems used throughout the world and through history. This course will focus on the historical developments of the various legal systems and explore the ways in which culture and religion impact each society’s sense of justice. “Law” will be a vehicle for studying culture, language, religion, geography, and history.

Introduction: This course It is intended to provide students with an overview of the different legal systems used throughout the world and throughout history, and the affects that these systems have had/do have. Primary Goals - 1. To introduce a participating student to the concepts and ideas linking the subjects of Law and Social Anthropology. 2. To increase a participating student’s knowledge and interest into how Law has affected and does affect the development of different societies and countries. Secondary Goals - 1. To increase a participating student’s vocabulary in terms of anthropology and law. 2. To improve a participating student’s research and writing skills relating to Law and Social Anthropology.

Class Rules: Every student will start the semester on 0 points for participation. During the class there are things that can gain (+) you points and things that can lose (-) you points. You cannot score any higher than 10 points. Things That Will Lose You Points: Littering = -1pt Excessive Mobile Phone Usage = -1pt Talking On A Phone During Class = -1pt No Book Or Note Book = -1pt No Pen/Pencil = -1pt Excessive Chatting = -1pt Eating Or Chewing Gum In Class = -1pt Sleeping In Class = -2pts Things That Will Gain You Points: Actively Participating In Class (Asking And Answering Questions) = +1pt Asking Questions During Case Presentations = +1pt Showing Evidence Of Reading The Textbook Chapters Ahead Of Class = +1pt NB: These can be added to if behaviour is deemed sufficiently appropriate or inappropriate to merit it.

This course will talk about difficult topics relating to Social Anthropology and Law, so a better than average level of English is required.

This class provides a good background for both students wishing to undertake further law classes, and for those intending to take more anthropology-related classes in the future.