Cascade Ridge Elementary – Law and Society - SST305

Apr 2026 · 2nd Semester

This course examines the central features of law as a social institution. We will explore the nature of law as a set of social systems, central actors in the systems, legal reasoning, and the relationship of the legal form and reasoning to social change. A core theme throughout this course is the exploration of law’s relationship to culture and legal consciousness. The primary purpose of the course will be to develop our perspective on law beyond the legal profession and learn that law and its relationship to society is shaped by social, economic, and political opportunities and constraints. By the end of the semester, students will have developed an understanding of the social processes that affect the legal system, and, more importantly, students will have improved upon their capacity to think critically and communicate effectively about themes, concepts, and argument surrounding the law.