Law and Social Thought (LST)

LST 2010 Law And Social Thought

[3 credit hours]

This course examines the function and force of law in society in an interdisciplinary context. Students are given the opportunity to think about law in relationship to society, morality, politics, language, history and power. Readings may include perspectives from philosophy, literature, psychology, sociology, history, anthropology and opinions of the court.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

LST 2030 Cultural Geography

[3 credit hours]

A learning-through-writing course. Systematic applications of the concept of cultural to geographic themes: culture areas, cultural landscapes, culture history, cultural ecology and cultural diversity.

Term Offered: Spring

Multicultural Non-US Diversity

LST 2500 Proseminar I

[1 credit hour]

For sophomore and junior majors in LST: discussion among faculty and students of the interdisciplinary study of law and LST program development. Topics vary, may be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: LST 2010 with a minimum grade of D-

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

LST 2640 Race, Class, And Gender

[3 credit hours]

Introduction to the study of race, class and gender as factors in American satisfaction.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

Core Social Sciences, Multicultural US Diversity, OT36 Social Science

LST 2700 Principles of Political Theory - WAC

[3 credit hours]

This course investigates core concepts in the history of political theory such as justice, liberty, and equality. We discuss how and why the influence of certain authors and ideas persists. Contemporary issues are interpreted using these authors and ideas in order to strengthen critical thinking skills and broaden students' thinking about politics.

Prerequisites: LST 2010 with a minimum grade of D-

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

LST 2800 Cultural Anthropology

[3 credit hours]

Introduction to culture patterns and processes and their relationship to human society and language.

Term Offered: Fall

Core Social Sciences, Multicultural Non-US Diversity, OT36 Social Science

LST 2980 Special Topics

[3 credit hours]

Special topics in Law and Social Thought. Topics vary by instructor, may be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: LST 2010 with a minimum grade of D-

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

LST 3050 Economics Of Gender

[3 credit hours]

Analysis of labor market outcomes and income distribution characteristics resulting from gender differences; gender-related economic outcomes: the "feminization of poverty," persistent male-female wage differential, expanding proportions of female-headed and same sex households.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

Multicultural US Diversity

LST 3060 U.S. Disability History

[3 credit hours]

This course provides a historical overview of the lived experiences of people defined as disabled and changing historical definitions of disability in the region that became the United States of America. We will consider how major historical forces such as capitalism, industrialization, colonialism, and democratic ideals have impacted and been shaped by people with disabilities.

Prerequisites: LST 2010 with a minimum grade of D-

LST 3070 Economics And Law

[3 credit hours]

Methodologies of Law and Economics; Legal institutions; Economic Theory of Property; Property Rights; Contract Theory; Economic Theory of Torts and Tort Law, Common Law Process; Economics of Crime and Punishment.

LST 3080 Economics Of Crime

[3 credit hours]

Study of crime as an economic activity; costs of crime to the community; economic approach to crime reduction.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

LST 3180 Media Communication Law

[3 credit hours]

Case studies and readings in libel, privacy, access and other legal issues arising from constitutional, judicial and administrative laws that affect mass communication.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

LST 3270 Campaign and Elections

[3 credit hours]

In this course, we examine how citizens participate in electoral politics. Topics covered throughout the semester include candidate recruitment, voting behavior, interest groups, campaign finance, and the impact of how technologies on party mobilization.

LST 3500 Proseminar II

[1 credit hour]

For Junior and Senior majors in LST: discussion among faculty and students of the interdisciplinary study of law and LST program development. Topics vary, may be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: LST 2010 with a minimum grade of D-

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

LST 3510 Constitutional Law I

[3 credit hours]

Examines the political and institutional role of the U.S. Supreme Court in the development of the American legal system, the separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the federal government, and the relationship between the federal government and the states. The course focuses on the analysis of Supreme Court cases as well as political science and legal scholarship.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

LST 3520 Constitutional Law II

[3 credit hours]

The development of the American legal system and the implications of judicial decisions affecting the institutions and powers of government, the federal system and the relationship of the individual to government.

Prerequisites: PSC 1200 with a minimum grade of D-

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

LST 3550 Principles Of Law

[3 credit hours]

An overview of the politics of law. We examine such questions as the sources and existence of law, the legal process in civil and criminal cases, the nature of rights and the search for justice through participation in the legal system. Addresses specific issues such as plea bargaining and jury trials, personal injury lawsuits, national security and police powers, and the nomination and confirmation of federal judges.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

LST 3710 Psychology And The Law

[3 credit hours]

Emphasizes the utilization of theoretical and empirical notions of psychological science as they apply to both civil and criminal law.

LST 3720 Philosophy Of Law

[3 credit hours]

A study of philosophical issues raised by law such as the relation of law to morality, obligation to obey the law, paternalism, censorship and free speech.

LST 3750 Social And Political Philosophy

[3 credit hours]

A study of classic and contemporary treatments of justice, authority, the relations between individual and community, the meaning of freedom and equality, power and violence, and race and gender.

Term Offered: Fall

LST 3760 Crime And Punishment

[3 credit hours]

A philosophical study of topics such as crime, responsibility, justice and punishment. Special attention is paid to current practices in the criminal justice system.

Term Offered: Fall

LST 3770 Art and Disease - WAC

[3 credit hours]

This WAC course considers how objects of material culture (film, photography, painting, sculpture, etc.) have intersected with disease while studying disease-related texts and histories of contagion (e.g., AIDS). Web-assisted course.

Prerequisites: LST 2010 with a minimum grade of D-

LST 3800 Sexual Politics

[3 credit hours]

This course examines sexual politics through studying canonical literature of Western political theory, feminism and postmodern theory.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

LST 3810 Political Geography

[3 credit hours]

An examination of geopolitical and geostrategic issues at the nation-state and international level.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

LST 3820 Contemporary Political Ideas

[3 credit hours]

Surveys trends in 20th century political and social thought, including critical theory, post-structuralist theory, feminism and anti-racist politics. Particular issues addressed include bureaucracy, mass society, state and civil violence, and identity politics.

Term Offered: Spring

LST 3840 Visual Construction of Gender - WAC

[3 credit hours]

This WAC course focuses on the ways in which images reflect and shape our understanding of gender. Students learn to analyze visual material to identify and articulate their cultural significance in relation to gender. Web-assisted course.

Prerequisites: LST 2010 with a minimum grade of D-

LST 3860 Gender And Geography

[3 credit hours]

Traces the development and institutionalization of gender roles and how these influence spatial decisions and the formation of perceptual landscapes.

LST 3980 Special Topics

[3 credit hours]

Special topics relating to issues in Law and Social Thought. Topics vary by instructor, may be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: LST 2010 with a minimum grade of D-

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

LST 4000 Global Issues in Disability Studies

[3 credit hours]

Special focus will be on global and contemporary issues as they arise in changing political and social environments. Geopolitical area of focus may vary based instructor expertise.

Term Offered: Fall

LST 4010 Islamic Law and Society

[3 credit hours]

This course will survey Islamic law in historical and comparative modern contexts. This course will provide (a) basic introduction to the sources and methods of classical Islamic legal interpretation, (b) survey of the most pressing areas in which traditional Islamic norms remain relevant today—criminal law, family law, and commercial law, (c) the challenges and transformations introduced by colonialism, modernity, and the nation-state, and (d) comparison with the American law and the constitution, highlighting comparative interpretive methods such as originalism versus progressivism, and innovative dimensions of Islamic law such as legal pluralism, wide room for local custom, religious diversity, and restorative justice.

Term Offered: Spring

LST 4170 Law And Society

[3 credit hours]

Dynamics of law and legal institutions; the relationship of sociocultural changes in substantive and procedural aspects of law to the concept of justice, and to the social control of deviance.

LST 4490 Witchcraft And Magic In Medieval And Early Modern Europe

[3 credit hours]

Witchcraft, religion and magic in western Europe from the 12th through 17th centuries, focusing on the origins of witchcraft belief, diabolical magic, the witchcraze and its decline.

LST 4530 Civil Rights

[3 credit hours]

A study of judicial policy-making and administrative implementation of decisions affecting racial issues, freedom of expressions, national security and criminal procedures.

LST 4550 Issues In Contemporary Law

[3 credit hours]

Examination of contemporary approaches to the analyses of law and the judicial system with special focus on current issues facing the courts.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

LST 4570 Legal Issues

[3 credit hours]

Topics may include abortion, three strikes sentencing, homosexual rights, hate speech and decriminalizing narcotics. Emphasizes liberal/conservative ideology.

LST 4580 International Law

[3 credit hours]

An examination of the legal status of nation states and dependencies and the rules concerning international diplomacy, treatment of persons and peaceful settlement of disputes.

LST 4590 Law, Policy And The Politics of Sexuality

[3 credit hours]

This course explores the public policies that affect the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in the United States and in other countries. It examines the factors that affect policymaking in this area.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

LST 4640 Disability Law and Human Right

[3 credit hours]

Explores the intersections between disability rights and human rights by examining the development, the ideological framework, and the legal contexts of disability law in the U.S. and global contexts.

Prerequisites: LST 2010 with a minimum grade of D-

LST 4710 Criminology

[3 credit hours]

Crime and criminal behavior: nature, types and extent of crime, societal reactions; problems in research and theory, prevention, control and treatment.

Term Offered: Summer

LST 4740 Issues In Crime

[3 credit hours]

Topics may include legalizing drugs, police violence, please bargaining, death sentence and mandatory sentencing. Emphasizes liberal/conservative ideology.

LST 4770 Human Rights

[3 credit hours]

What are human rights? How are human rights created? Why do states protect or repress human rights? This class answers these questions by examining both the theoretical and empirical contributions to the study of human rights from the social sciences and law. In addition, human rights best (and worst) practices are considered.

LST 4820 Anthropology Of Religion

[3 credit hours]

A cross-cultural approach to the description and analyses of magical and religious beliefs and practices in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Indigenous North America.

Prerequisites: ANTH 2800 with a minimum grade of D-

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

Multicultural Non-US Diversity

LST 4830 Theory Of Public History

[3 credit hours]

The definition, philosophy and evolution of public history as well as the current literature and debates within the field. Public history is the application of historical knowledge and methodology beyond academe.

LST 4840 Ecotourism: Studies of the Africana World

[3 credit hours]

Introduce students to the field of ecotourism studies and specific challenges of community development and sustainability. The course covers ecotoursim in the Africana world of Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

Prerequisites: LST 2010 with a minimum grade of D-

LST 4900 Seminar In Law And Social Thought

[3 credit hours]

Advanced seminar for the interdisciplinary study of law in society. Topics vary by instructor, may be repeated for credit. Required of LST majors.

Prerequisites: LST 2010 with a minimum grade of D-

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

LST 4940 Field Experience

[1-6 credit hours]

Community work, internship, or field study relating to law and society. May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: LST 2010 with a minimum grade of D-

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

LST 4980 Special Topics

[3 credit hours]

Advanced seminar in Law and Social Thought. Topics vary by instructor, may be repeated for credit. Required of LST majors.

Prerequisites: LST 2010 with a minimum grade of D-

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

LST 4990 Capstone in Law and Social Thought

[3 credit hours]

The Capstone course in Law and Social Thought is an interdisciplinary, collaboratively taught seminar thematically organized around a topic in the study of law.

Prerequisites: LST 2010 with a minimum grade of D-

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall