UH 300 - Law and Popular Culture
Law is the foundation of a modern, ordered society. As citizens, we are often fascinated by the law, and this is reflected in the large number of legal narratives that have become a part of popular culture. Americans are especially fascinated with the criminal justice system, and this is represented by the large number of television shows and movies that all feature different elements of criminal justice.
This course will examine the relationship between the reality of the law and its depictions in television shows and films. In our examination, we will focus on the facts and the fiction of the legal process. We will start by examining the role and position of law, in both historical and modern societies, and move from there into the examination of different legal institutions, and study how these facets of the law are represented in the movies and television shows we will watch. Additionally, we will examine the opposite perspective: how does popular culture, and in particular our understanding of law as portrayed in moving images, affect real law?
This course will examine the relationship between the reality of the law and its depictions in television shows and films. In our examination, we will focus on the facts and the fiction of the legal process. We will start by examining the role and position of law, in both historical and modern societies, and move from there into the examination of different legal institutions, and study how these facets of the law are represented in the movies and television shows we will watch. Additionally, we will examine the opposite perspective: how does popular culture, and in particular our understanding of law as portrayed in moving images, affect real law?
