Introduction to Legal Anthropology:  The Cultural Power of the Law

                                 Course Number:  SAN211, Fall 2006

                          Room Number:34 , Mondays 18:00-19:30 (6-7:30PM)

                                    Masaryk University, BA Level

                                   Instructor: Laura Bunt, Ph.D.

                Email: LauraBunt@yahoo.com, Office Number: 3.57, Phone: 549.491.942

                         Office Hours: 6-7PM Wednesdays (or by appointment)

   

Course Description

   Traditionally, anthropologists have used the culture concept, and other anthological methods,
   to explore the power the law has in shaping the aesthetic, political, and existential
   dimensions of human lives around the world.  This course is designed to give undergraduate
   social science students a general introduction to anthropological methods in regards to the
   law and legal practices in different societies.  We will pay particular attention to
   contemporary legal anthropological theory which emphasizes the role of power and history in
   shaping the law.

   

   Course readings focus on anthropological rather than legal methodologies providing original
   analysis of particular legal developments.  Readings cover several world areas including: 
   Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin American, the Middle East, and South Asia.

   

   Course Requirements

   Students must produce TWO 3-4 page essays based upon the reading and class discussions. 
   Instructor will assign essay questions in advance of due dates.  Student are also required to
   write TWO 1 page response papers.

   

COURSE RULES

   Students are expected to come to class having already read the readings cited on the syllabus
   for that day. ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY, ROLE WILL BE TAKEN IN EVERY CLASS.  Students are
   allowed 3 undocumented absences.  Any student missing more than 4 classes without a documented
   (i.e. medical or family) emergency will be dropped from the class without exception. (Students
   observing religious holidays are excused from class, but please inform instructor in advance).



COURSE GRADING POLICY

   75% Essay Assignments

   15% Response Papers

   10% Class Attendance

   

Course READINGS

   All reading is available online through the university system and is on reserve at the library

   

    COURSE OUTLINE

   Week 1: SEPT 18^TH ORIENTATION WEEK (NO CLASSES)

   

   Week 2:  SEPT 25^TH  INTRODUCTION, FIRST DAY OF CLASS

   

   WEEK 3: OCT 2^ND (pgs. 1-30) “Dialogues in Legal Anthropology” by J. Starr & J. Collier in
   History and Power in the Study of Law: New Directions in Legal Anthropology (Anthropology of
   Contemporary Issues).

   

   Week 4:  OCT 9^TH  (pgs. 18-71) “Evolving an Ethnography of the Law: A Personal Document” by
   L. Nadar in The Life of the Law : Anthropological Projects.

   

   Week 5: OCT 16^TH (pgs. 113-130) “Constitution-Making in Islamic Iran: the Impact of Theocracy
   on the Order of a Nation-State” by S.M. Arjomand in History and Power in the Study of Law: New
   Directions in Legal Anthropology (Anthropology of Contemporary Issues).

   

      FIRST RESPONSE PAPER DUE IN CLASS

   

   Week 6:  OCT 23^RD   ESSAY WRITING IN ENGLISH LECTURE (ATTENDANCE MANDATORY, ESSAY QUESTION
   WILL BE HANDED OUT)

   

   Week 7: OCT 30^TH  READING WEEK (NO CLASS)

   

   Week 8:   NOV 6^TH  (pgs. 72-116), “Lawyers and Anthropologists” by L. Nadar in The Life of
   the Law : Anthropological Projects.

   

  FIRST ESSAY DUE IN CLASS, NOVEMBER 6TH

   

   Week 9:  NOV 13^TH  (pgs. 131-152) “Law and the Colonial State in India” by B. Cohen in
   History and Power in the Study of Law: New Directions in Legal Anthropology (Anthropology of
   Contemporary Issues).

   

   Week 10:  NOV 20^TH  (pgs. 153-167) “Contours of Change:  Agrarian Law in Colonial Uganda
   1895-1962” by J. Vincent in History and Power in the Study of Law: New Directions in Legal
   Anthropology (Anthropology of Contemporary Issues).

   

   Week 11:   NOV 27^TH  (pgs. 168-200) “Thinking About “Interests”: Legal Processes in the
   European Community” by F. Snyder in History and Power in the Study of Law: New Directions in
   Legal Anthropology (Anthropology of Contemporary Issues).

   

    Week 12: DEC 4^TH  (pgs. 277-301), “History and the Redefinition of Custom in Kilimanjaro” by
   S.F. Moore in History and Power in the Study of Law: New Directions in Legal Anthropology
   (Anthropology of Contemporary Issues).

   

    Week 13:  Dec 11^th (pgs. 302-319) “Islamic ‘Case Law’ and the Logic of Consequence” by L.
   Rosen in History and Power in the Study of Law: New Directions in Legal Anthropology
   (Anthropology of Contemporary Issues).

   

      SECOND RESPONSE PAPER DUE IN CLASS

   

   Week 14:  dec 18^th  (pgs. 319-344 ) “The Crown, the Colonist and the Course of Zapotec
   Village Law” by L. Nadar in History and Power in the Study of Law: New Directions in Legal
   Anthropology (Anthropology of Contemporary Issues).

   

   ***REVIEW and PREPARATION for final exam (ATTENDANCE MANDATORY, ESSAY QUESTION WILL BE HANDED
                                              OUT)***

   

   

                            FINAL ESSAY DUE AT END OF EXAMINATION PERIOD