Law and Social Control
Examines the creation, use and effectiveness of formal and informal mechanisms of social control for both criminal and noncriminal deviant behavior. Cross-cultural comparisons are given special emphasis.
Objectives
- Understand the concept of social control.
- Understand intellectual thought and perspectives regarding the development
of social control and changes in social control, in the US and across the globe. - Examine the methods other cultures use in employing social control.
- Examine the formal and informal ways that society responds to deviance.
- Discuss the central role of law in social control.
o Develop an understanding of Donald Black’s Theory of law. - Examine law and the roles of agencies of the criminal justice system in social
control. - Examine other systems of law based on religion and/or authoritarianism.
- Discuss the relationship between law, the media, and public opinion; to
include the influence of the media and the public on change.
Writing Assignment #1
In a 5 full-page paper, discuss one of the following topics, with a focus on contemporary society:
- Religion and Social Control
- Socialization Practices and Social Control
- Medicalization and Social Control
Writing Assignment #2
In an 8 full-page paper, select, research, and discuss one of the following topics:
- Legal issues in the use of technology in law enforcement
- Legal issues in dealing with online hate speech
- Legal and ethical issues in online surveillance/monitoring and/or censorship