POSC 240 - Introduction to U.S. Law

Law is a force for maintaining social order. Some see this as a positive attribute; others condemn it. Some laud the law and the legal system as the bulwark of a harmonious society and argue that without it no other values could be secured. Others warn of the dangers of an unreflective preservation of a status quo they see as unjust and warn that maintaining social order may obstruct needed progress and social development. In this course students will critically examine various aspects of law and the legal system, seeking an understanding of its strengths and weaknesses, its promise and its peril. With the assistance of social scientists and legal scholars and practitioners, students will seek to understand the positive and negative assessments that are made of the ideals and practices of law in the United States. Letter grade with Pass/No Pass option. (Offered every year.) 3 credits