Goose Bumps and “The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life” in Sociolegal Studies: After Twenty-Five Years

This article focuses on the emergence of sociolegal studies over the past twenty-five years through an analysis of the development of the Law and Society Association. The paper takes the view that this scholarly field is best understood from a broad-based, multidisciplinary perspective that includes, but does not privilege, legal scholarship. Also, the article argues that sociolegal studies has been pluralistic, self-reflective, and dynamic since its inception and that current critiques must be examined in light of this past. Three areas of contemporary concern—the centrality of law; the impact of policy, politics, and reform motives; and the nature of science—are assessed in terms of sociolegal studies specifically and social science inquiry more generally. Opportunities for growth and change are considered.