Legal Theory and Institutions

Level
Semester
Spring 2015
Instructor(s)
Units
4
Number
252
CCN
72027
Times
10a-1240p
Location
102 2240 Piedmont
Course Description

This seminar, cross-listed with the University of California, Berkeley Law School , is designed to introduce students to the study of public law-- a subfield of political science that focuses on the relationships between law and politics, and between politics and the design, behavior, and impact of legal institutions. Readings draw on comparative as well as American studies to better understand the political sources of the rule of law, judicial independence and constitutional courts, and typologies of legal systems and legal institutions. This course will include studies of decision-making by judges and other legal decision-makers and studies of the capacity of law and courts to affect policy and social change. In the course of addressing these topics, the seminar will familiarize students with prominent approaches to research and explanation in public law.

The course start date is January 15, 2015.

Note:  The course follows the University of California, Berkeley Law School Academic Calendar.  For further information, please reference their web page. 

https://www.law.berkeley.edu/php-programs/courses/coursePage.php?cID=16004&termCode=B&termYear=2015