Legal professionals--- judges, lawyers, and prosecutors--- are essential for fostering and advancing public interests. They provide a voice for the public through advocacy and representation, ensure accountability, and promote equity and justice. Simultaneously, they act as social actors embedded within diverse social structures, navigating organizational constraints and balancing political considerations. This course analyzes legal professionals through the lens of social science, emphasizing empirical research to explore how these legal professionals relate to public service. Since lawyers, judges, and prosecutors are the driving force behind the application of laws, understanding their roles offers vital insights into law in action--- how the law and legal system operate in society.
This course includes an international guest speaker who specializes in relevant topics. This provides students with a chance to engage with broader perspectives and explore diverse topics related to the legal professionals and their social impact.
While this seminar will primarily be conducted in English, students are not required to have an advanced level of English fluency. Discussion in Japanese may be incorporated when necessary to ensure clarity and inclusivity. (必要によって日本語による議論が行われる可能性がある。本トピックに関して英語でのディスカッション形式に参加する意欲のある者であれば、どなたでも歓迎する。)