The sociology of law is also known as legal sociology, according to the Penn State Department of Sociology and Crime, Law and Justice. Legal sociology is the study of sociology, which is defined as the science of human behavior, and how that behavior relates to law, according to the American Sociological Association. Law students are often required by law schools, colleges and universities to take courses in the sociology of law as part of their degree requirements.
Legal sociology examines the interrelationship of society and law in order to understand how law affects both individuals and community and how they, in turn, can shape the law. Sociology studies needed to pursue this combined study can include: criminology, psychology, social anthropology, social policy and even criminal science. Legal studies in the sociology of law include examining the effect of legal institutions and regulations on social issues and the effect of social change on law.
Studies interrelating law and sociology began to be explored in the early part of the 20th century, according to the American Sociological Association. A German sociologist, Max Weber, began about combining the study of sociology, law and politics. French sociologist Emile Durkheim, writing slightly earlier than Weber, also linked law and sociology in his books “Rules of the Sociological Method,” published in 1895 and “The Realm of Sociology as a Science,” published in 1900. These two sociologists are considered founders of modern legal sociology, according to the American Sociological Association. Other sociological and legal theories were developed by sociologists Leon Petrazycki, Eugen Ehrlich and Georges Gurvitch.
Many law schools have departments that offer courses or specialize in the sociology of law. For example, Penn State University has a Department of Sociology and Crime, Law and Justice which offers studies in criminology, family studies, criminal/legal jurisprudence or CLJ, social demography and statistical methods in regards to sociology. Penn State cites that the department has been ranked as having of the 20 best sociology departments in the United States and among the top five crime and justice departments.
Graduate and doctoral programs are also offered in the sociology of law, according to the American Sociological Association. Graduate programs are offered in schools across the country, including New York University, the University of Hawaii, the University of Delaware, the University of Arizona and Harvard's Department of Sociology. The degree offered by these programs is a JD/PhD, or Juris Doctor PhD. The Juris Doctor degree is the professional degree for lawyers.