Skip to main content
NounStudy
Back to Course Catalog
CSS112Social Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Sociology Of Law

This course introduces the methods of sociology and its influence on law within the Nigerian context. It explores the sociological perspectives of legal reasoning and law-making. Key areas include defining law and sociology, examining the relationship between law, custom, and morality, and understanding the challenges of law enforcement from a sociological viewpoint. The course also covers various legal concepts, the Nigerian legal system, and the impact of social change on legal structures.

Generate AI Study Notes

Transform this course into personalized study materials with AI

208h
Study Time
13
Weeks
16h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Sociology of LawNigerian Legal SystemSocial ChangeLegal ConceptsLaw Enforcement

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Defining Law and Sociology

2

Concepts of Law

3

Theories of Law

4

Nigerian Legal System

5

Law and Morality

6

Law and Custom

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Legal Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Policy Advisor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Social Worker

Apply your skills in this growing field

Law Enforcement Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Community Organizer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

GovernmentLaw EnforcementSocial ServicesNon-Profit OrganizationsLegal Advocacy

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Introduction to Sociology of Law

6h

Unit 1: Defining Sociology

3 study hours
  • •Read the introduction to Sociology
  • •Understand the etymological meaning of sociology
  • •Distinguish sociology from other behavioral sciences

Unit 2: What is Law

3 study hours
  • •Understand the meaning of law
  • •Differentiate law from other rules
  • •Attempt a formal definition of law
Week
2

Module 1: Introduction to Sociology of Law

6h

Unit 3: The Necessity of Law

3 study hours
  • •Understand the necessity of law in society
  • •Examine the debate about the necessity of law
  • •Consider the philosophical issue of human nature

Unit 4: What is Sociology of Law

3 study hours
  • •Learn the meaning of sociology of law
  • •Grasp the full meaning of sociology of law
  • •Learn about the emergence of sociology of law
Week
3

Module 2: Concepts of Law

6h

Unit 1: Consensus Theories of Law

3 study hours
  • •State the basic assumptions of Consensus/Functionalist theories of law
  • •Name proponents of Consensus theories of law
  • •Critique Consensus theories of law

Unit 2: Conflict Theories of Law

3 study hours
  • •State the basic assumptions of Conflict theories of law
  • •Name exponents of the conflict perspective on law
  • •Compare Consensus and Conflict theories of law
Week
4

Module 2: Concepts of Law

6h

Unit 3: The Natural Law School of Jurisprudence

3 study hours
  • •State the major propositions of the Natural Law School of Jurisprudence
  • •Understand the various dimensions of natural law
  • •Demonstrate its relevance for modern day legal organization

Unit 4: The Analytical/Positivist School of Jurisprudence

3 study hours
  • •State the major postulations of the positivist school of jurisprudence
  • •Name the major exponents of the school
  • •Demonstrate the relevance of the school for modern conceptions of law
Week
5

Module 2: Concepts of Law

6h

Unit 5: The Historical School of Jurisprudence

3 study hours
  • •State the major propositions of the historical school of Jurisprudence
  • •Mention some of the major exponents of the school and their contributions
  • •Demonstrate the relevance of the school for modern conceptualizations of the phenomena of law

Unit 6: The Sociological School of Jurisprudence

3 study hours
  • •State the major propositions of the sociological school of Jurisprudence
  • •Specify the major contributions of the major exponents of the school
  • •Demonstrate the relevance of the school for present day conceptualisations of law
Week
6

Module 3: The Relation Of Law To Selected Concepts

4h

Unit 1: The Relation of Law to Morality

4 study hours
  • •Distinguish law from morality
  • •Identify areas of commonality and divergence between law and morality
  • •Demonstrate when law and morals can reinforce or undermine each other
Week
7

Module 3: The Relation Of Law To Selected Concepts

4h

Unit 2: The Relation of Law to Custom

4 study hours
  • •Analyse the relationship between law and custom
  • •Identify areas of commonalities and differences between the two concepts
  • •Predict the future relationship between law and custom
Week
8

Module 3: The Relation Of Law To Selected Concepts

4h

Unit 3: The Relation of Law to Force

4 study hours
  • •Analyse the relationship between law and force
  • •Describe the different forms of "Force"
  • •Understand that law must ultimately be backed by force
Week
9

Module 3: The Relation Of Law To Selected Concepts

4h

Unit 4: The Relation of Law to Justice

4 study hours
  • •Understand the relationship between law and justice
  • •Identify and explain at least two or more important forms of justice
  • •Demonstrate ways in which law may be used to achieve purposes other than justice
Week
10

Module 3: The Relation Of Law To Selected Concepts

4h

Unit 5: The Relation of Law to Freedom

4 study hours
  • •Understand how law expands freedom even while seeming to restrict it
  • •Specify at least six fundamental rights and show their limitations
  • •Analyse the relation of law to freedom
Week
11

Module 3: The Relation Of Law To Selected Concepts

4h

Unit 6: Law and the Rule of Law

4 study hours
  • •Understand the meaning of the rule of law
  • •Identify the components of rule of law
  • •Describe the extent to which Nigeria meets the requirements of rule of law
Week
12

Module 4: The Nigerian Legal System

8h

Unit 1: The Pre-Colonial Legal Order of Nigeria: Southern Nigeria (Prior to 1861)

4 study hours
  • •Describe the main features of the pre-colonial legal order in Southern Nigeria
  • •Demarcate the various types of laws
  • •Understand that pre-colonial African societies had their own systems of justice

Unit 2: The Pre-Colonial Legal Order of Nigeria: Northern Nigeria

4 study hours
  • •Describe the main features of the pre-colonial legal order of northern Nigeria
  • •Delineate the various types of laws and highlight their contents in pre-colonial northern Nigeria
  • •Understand the basic features of the Sharia legal system
Week
13

Module 4: The Nigerian Legal System

8h

Unit 3: The Colonial Legal Order of Nigeria: 1861 to September 1960

4 study hours
  • •Describe the main features of the pre-colonial legal order of Nigeria
  • •Specify the important legal developments that occurred during the colonial period
  • •Understand that the British colonialists were more interested in instituting a legal system that suited their ways of life

Unit 4: The Post-Colonial Legal Order of Nigeria: 1960-to-Date

4 study hours
  • •Understand that Nigeria has a modern legal system fashioned along the lines of the English legal system
  • •Specify some of the more important changes in the legal system that occurred after independence
  • •Compare the post colonial with the pre-colonial legal system of Nigeria

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

Access PDF Material

Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create concept maps linking Module 2 legal theories to real-world examples

2

Review key definitions from Units 1-4 weekly

3

Practice applying sociological perspectives to analyze case studies from Units 7-9

4

Focus on understanding the historical evolution of Nigerian legal system

5

Prepare detailed summaries of each unit's main points for quick review

6

Prioritize studying peak difficulty units identified in the course metadata

7

Allocate extra time for complex units like Natural Law and Positivist schools

8

Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and feedback

9

Practice essay questions on the relationship between law and social change

10

Create flashcards for key terms and concepts

11

Join online study groups to discuss challenging topics

12

Use past exam papers to familiarize yourself with question formats

13

Develop a time management strategy for the exam to ensure all questions are answered

Related Courses

Other courses in Social Sciences that complement your learning

HCM131

Introduction to Hospitality Management

2 Units
MAC115

African Communication Systems I

2 Units
MAC117

Writing for Mass Media I

2 Units
View All Social Sciences Courses