Nov 22, 2024
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25
HIST 3520 - Roman Law & Society
Historical introduction to Roman law, interpretation of legal sources, and especially the role of law in Roman society and culture. Chronological focus is on the Empire through the age of Justinian. After a survey of the origins of Roman law, lectures and readings use legal sources to look in two directions: downwards to the way law affected social life; upwards to how politics and governance affected law. Attention will be given throughout to how the nature of different types of legal evidence affect our interpretation of the purpose and effectiveness of law. Specific topics of focus will include the bearing of law on marriage and family life, slavery and freedom, surveillance, and religion.
Credit Hours: 3
General Education Code (students who entered prior to Fall 2021-22): 2CP
Repeat/Retake Information: May be retaken two times excluding withdrawals, but only last course taken counts.
Lecture/Lab Hours: 3.0 lecture
Grades: Eligible Grades: A-F,WP,WF,WN,FN,AU,I
Learning Outcomes:
- Students are able to recognize and weigh multiple perspectives regarding cultural phenomena, especially notions of public and private domains, family obligations, and personal liberty.
- Students demonstrate understanding of how another society can utilize institutions and processes similar to their own for achieving different ends.
- Students have a basic knowledge of the institutions and historical development of Roman law that they demonstrate on exams and use in discussion and analysis of sources.
- Students write argumentative essays based on their interpretation of original documents from a society with moral and social values very different from their own.
Add to Portfolio (opens a new window)