Understanding Law in a Changing Society

This book on American law reframes the topic in a way non-lawyers can easily comprehend. It provides a basic understanding of the American legal system, the different divisions of civil law, and the primary concepts and distinctions that characterize modern legal thought. It also addresses how the law and social change interact with each other. Intended for undergraduate students, it also will interest general readers who want to understand the foundations of law. Features new to this third edition include a section on how to brief cases, a new introduction covering updates for each chapter, new case studies and discussion questions for selected chapters, a glossary of legal terms, and key Websites for legal studies. Authors are Altschuler (political science, SUNY Oswego) and Sgroi and Ryniker (public justice, SUNY Oswego). Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Bruce E. Altschuler, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at SUNY Oswego, is a recipient of the President's Award for Research/Creative or Scholarly Activity. His publications includeRunning in Place: A Campaign Journal (Wadsworth Publishing, 1999) and Acting Presidents: 100 Years of Plays about the Presidency (Palgrave Macmillan, 2011).

Celia A. Sgroi is an Associate Professor in the Public Justice Department at SUNY Oswego.

Margaret R. Ryniker is an Assistant Professor in the Public Justice Department at SUNY Oswego.