This book presents a set of related studies aimed at showing key points of intersection and common interest between jurisprudence and socio-legal studies, which are otherwise typically considered distinct fields. It reflects and draws on the author's work in these areas over more than four decades.
The first half of the book explores theoretical issues surrounding the enterprise of socio-legal research, its current scope, and its historical traditions. Some chapters directly compare juristic theory and socio-legal inquiry. Chapters in Part II profile a selection of European jurists whose work offers important insights for socio-legal inquiry. Other chapters frame these studies, explore the history of interactions between jurisprudence and socio-legal research, and show points of convergence between these fields that are increasingly important today. A main aim of the book is to show the current urgency of linking and broadening juristic and social scientific interests in law.
Internationally oriented, the book will be of interest to students and researchers in the areas of jurisprudence, legal philosophy, sociology of law, socio-legal studies, and comparative law. It is suitable as supplementary reading for courses in any of these subjects.
The first half of the book explores theoretical issues surrounding the enterprise of socio-legal research, its current scope, and its historical traditions. Some chapters directly compare juristic theory and socio-legal inquiry. Chapters in Part II profile a selection of European jurists whose work offers important insights for socio-legal inquiry. Other chapters frame these studies, explore the history of interactions between jurisprudence and socio-legal research, and show points of convergence between these fields that are increasingly important today. A main aim of the book is to show the current urgency of linking and broadening juristic and social scientific interests in law.
Internationally oriented, the book will be of interest to students and researchers in the areas of jurisprudence, legal philosophy, sociology of law, socio-legal studies, and comparative law. It is suitable as supplementary reading for courses in any of these subjects.
'This is a marvelous collection: the essays show Roger Cotterrell at his best: incisive but also open-minded, offering valuable lessons to both established scholars and beginning law students.'
Professor Brian Bix,
Frederick W. Thomas Professor of Law and Philosophy, University of Minnesota, USA
`Jurisprudence and Socio-Legal Studies: Intersecting Fields is a new masterpiece. ...In summary, Cotterrell's new book not only shows the real challenge to building bridges between jurisprudence and socio-legal studies but also the pathway to collaboration between the two fields. It provides a fundamental rethinking of the past, the present, and the future of the intersection of jurisprudence and socio-legal studies and will leave an important legacy. It is a book that must be read by scholars and students who are interested in jurisprudence, socio-legal studies, sociology of law, and comparative law.'
Ting Xu, University of Essex, UK
Social & Legal Studies; DOI: 10.1177/09646639241296107 journals.sagepub.com/home/sls
'Cotterrell structures his account in three parts: 'A Terrain of Socio-Legal Inquiry', 'Juristic Radicals as Socio-Legal Pioneers', and 'Mapping Intersecting Fields'. It is an unapologetically wide-ranging account, weaving together a panoply of topics and themes, some familiar and others a welcome surprise. Nevertheless, the chapters are characteristically concise and clear - a feature that ensures that Cotterrell's intricate theses remain accessible to a broad audience of advanced students and academics from numerous disciplines, including sociology of law, socio-legal studies, jurisprudence, and sociology.'
James Campbell, Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, University of Oxford; book review in Journal of Law and Society https://doi.org/10.1111/jols.12503
Professor Brian Bix,
Frederick W. Thomas Professor of Law and Philosophy, University of Minnesota, USA
`Jurisprudence and Socio-Legal Studies: Intersecting Fields is a new masterpiece. ...In summary, Cotterrell's new book not only shows the real challenge to building bridges between jurisprudence and socio-legal studies but also the pathway to collaboration between the two fields. It provides a fundamental rethinking of the past, the present, and the future of the intersection of jurisprudence and socio-legal studies and will leave an important legacy. It is a book that must be read by scholars and students who are interested in jurisprudence, socio-legal studies, sociology of law, and comparative law.'
Ting Xu, University of Essex, UK
Social & Legal Studies; DOI: 10.1177/09646639241296107 journals.sagepub.com/home/sls
'Cotterrell structures his account in three parts: 'A Terrain of Socio-Legal Inquiry', 'Juristic Radicals as Socio-Legal Pioneers', and 'Mapping Intersecting Fields'. It is an unapologetically wide-ranging account, weaving together a panoply of topics and themes, some familiar and others a welcome surprise. Nevertheless, the chapters are characteristically concise and clear - a feature that ensures that Cotterrell's intricate theses remain accessible to a broad audience of advanced students and academics from numerous disciplines, including sociology of law, socio-legal studies, jurisprudence, and sociology.'
James Campbell, Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, University of Oxford; book review in Journal of Law and Society https://doi.org/10.1111/jols.12503