Gwen Seaquist, Professor and Coordinator
Legal studies offers both a major and a minor. In either, students have the opportunity to become familiar with legal ideas, legal institutions, and the legal process from the perspectives of multiple disciplines. Within the context of a growing literature in this field, students learn a variety of research and methodological approaches that enable them to understand and evaluate how the law works, as well as its underlying policies. Legal studies is premised on the belief that the study of law and justice necessarily incorporates a broad range of academic disciplines, and that its pursuit will encourage sustained reflection on fundamental values, as well as critical analysis of human behavior and institutions.
The major in legal studies is not intended as a substitute or as a preparation for any part of a law school curriculum, nor does it provide a paralegal certificate. The curriculum incorporates an interdisciplinary approach that prepares students for the complex lives they will lead, which assuredly will include law as an underpinning, even if the law is not a career choice.
Students graduating in legal studies are particularly well qualified to pursue graduate work on legal topics in humanities and social science disciplines or to attend professional school in fields such as teaching, public policy, business and health administration, social work, and law. Legal studies graduates find employment in both the public and private sectors.
|
LGST 32300 |
Legal Research Seminar |
3 |
|
LGST 40200 |
Capstone Course |
3 |
| LGST 49800 | Internship: Legal Studies | 3 |
|
POLT 12300 |
Political Justice |
3 |
|
TVR 12300 |
Law and the Media |
3 |
|
SPCM 11000 |
Public Communication or |
3 |
|
SPCM 11500 |
Business and Professional Communication |
3 |
| SPCM 12400 | Courtrooms and Communications | 3 |
|
WRTG 1xxxx |
Writing |
3-4 |
|
WRTG 20100 |
Persuasive Argument or |
3 |
|
SPCM 21500 |
Argument and Debate |
3 |
|
PHIL 21200 |
Introduction to Ethics |
3 |
|
PHIL 26500 |
Philosophical Problems in Law |
3 |
|
GBUS 20300 |
The Legal Environment of Business I |
3 |
|
GBUS 20400 |
The Legal Environment of Business II or |
3 |
|
GBUS 30700 |
Commercial Law |
3 |
| GBUS 32400 | Alternative Dispute Resolution | 3 |
|
POLT 31000 |
Supreme Court in U.S. Politics |
3 |
|
POLT 30300 |
Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties |
3 |
|
Total, required courses |
48-49 |
Applied law courses teach you the "black letter" law in the particular subject area. The instructors are practicing attorneys with special expertise in this area of law, so you will learn the most recent and relevant aspects of the law.
Select 6 credits from the applied law elective list which may be found at the website for legal studies.
Legal Studies Website
|
Total, applied law electives |
6 |
These courses provide a unique perspective on the law through an examination of the various social, political, philosophical, and sociological factors that shape the evolution and application of law in our society.
Select 6 credits from the social, political, ethical, and cultural elective list which may be found at the website for legal studies.
Legal Studies Website
|
Total, social, political, ethical, and cultural electives |
6 |
See explanation of general education distribution requirements in the "General Education in Humanities and Sciences" section.
General Education in Humanities and Sciences
|
Self and society -- 3 credits in values, beliefs, behavior; 6 credits in cultures and institutions; 3 additional credits in category A or B |
12 |
|
Science, mathematics, and formal reasoning -- 6 credits in science; 3 credits in mathematics and formal reasoning |
9 |
|
Human expression -- 6 credits in language; 6 credits in visual and performing arts |
12 |
|
Global and historical perspectives |
3 |
|
Total, general education distribution requirements |
36 |
| Required courses | 48-49 |
| Applied law electives | 6 |
| Social, political, ethical, and cultural electives | 6 |
| General education distribution requirements | 36 |
|
Liberal arts electives |
11-12 |
|
Open electives |
12 |
|
Total, B.A. in legal studies |
120 |
The purpose of the minor is to allow students to develop a greater understanding of the impact of law and legal institutions on society and public policy. Students study the sources and evolution of law, the legal process, and how law functions in a complex social, political, and economic system.
The minor consists of 18 credits. The two required foundation courses introduce legal methodology, including legal analysis, the Socratic method, and case law studies. In addition, students select two courses on specific applications of the law and two courses on the larger social and ethical dimensions of the law. The requirements of the minor should complement and supplement the majors of students with diverse career goals.
|
GBUS 20300 |
The Legal Environment of Business I |
3 |
|
GBUS 20400 |
The Legal Environment of Business II or |
3 |
|
GBUS 30700 |
Commercial Law |
3 |
Applied law courses teach you the "black letter" law in the particular subject area. The instructors are practicing attorneys with special expertise in this area of law, so you will learn the most recent and relevant aspects of the law.
Select 6 credits from the applied law elective list which may be found at the website for legal studies.
Legal Studies Website
|
Total, applied law electives |
6 |
These courses provide a unique perspective on the law through an examination of the various social, political, philosophical, and sociological factors that shape the evolution and application of law in our society.
Select 6 credits from the social, political, ethical, and cultural elective list which may be found at the website for legal studies.
Legal Studies Website
|
Total, social, political, ethical, and cultural electives |
6 |