LAW638

Drawing on literature in legal history and the history and sociology of science, this course explores from a historical perspective the social context of forensic culture and the rise of the "scientific expert," especially over the past century. Surveying a series of case studies, the course surveys the historical context in which particular forensic sciences emerged, to uncover broader insights regarding the perceived necessities and social realities from which forensic culture stems. These factors include urbanization and anonymity; the fear of mass violence; colonialism; surveillance; and shifting understandings of scientific objectivity.