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Academic Year 2001/2002

Law and Conflict in Society
ANTH 300 FA

This course begins by examining the theoretical and methodological approaches to law and conflict in several legal ethnographies. Questions addressed through these texts include, Is law universal? What is the relation between legal rules and legal processes? How do techniques of conflict resolution differ cross-culturally? How does law reflect, refract, or remake aspects of social life? The introduction to law and conflict through ethnography will provide a base for exploring several specific top ics in detail, such as the creation of "customary" law; the role of law in the constructions of gender and the resolution of gender-related conflict; and language in the disputing process.

MAJOR READINGS

B. Malinowski, CRIME AND CUSTOM IN SAVAGE SOCIETY C. Greenhouse, PRAYING FOR JUSTICE: FAITH, ORDER AND COMMUNITY IN AN AMERICAN TOWN J. Conley and W.M. O'Barr, RULES VS. RELATIONSHIPS: THE ETHNOGRAPHY OF LEGAL DISCOURSE J. Comaroff and S. Roberts, RULES AND PROCESSSES: THE CULTURAL LOGIC OF DISPUTES IN AN AFRICAN CONTEXT

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Take-home midterm exam, final research paper.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

One previous course in anthropology is required. Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS ANTH    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2002

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