POSC 340

I. Course Title: Law and Social Change

II. Course Number: POSC 340

III. Credit Hours: 3 credits

IV. Prerequisites: 1) POSC 120: Introduction to American Government or 2) Permission of instructor

V. Course Description: 

This course looks at the interaction between the legal system and the formulation of public policy to investigate if courts and law can create social change.

Note(s): Cultural or Behavioral Analysis designated course. Students may not receive credit for both POSC 440 and POSC 340.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

This course looks at the interaction between the legal system and formulation of public policy, specifically to create social change. Students will explore the interaction between law and public policy, understanding if (and how) courts can create social change, and what are the limits of the law to achieving social change 

1) Law and Public Policy

• a. What is Public Policy?
• b. The Courts and Public Policy

2) Can Courts Create Social Change?

• a. No, Courts Cannot Create Social Change
• b. Yes, Courts Can Create Social Change
• c. What Does “Success” Look Like?

3) Limits to the Law

• a. Limits to the Law and Identity
• b. Limits to the Law and Issues
• c. Limits to the Law and Implementation

VI. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

By the end of the semester, students should:

1. Strengthen their written and oral communication skills;
2. Consider the multiple ways that law and courts interact in intended and unintended ways; 
3. Explain how law and courts can (and cannot) be used to accomplish social change; 
4. Analyze why law and courts may (or may not) be a viable route for achieving social change; and, 
5. Critique and defend positions on arguments about the role of law and courts in policymaking.

Review and Approval

August 2020