Legal Studies

Laurie G. Dodge, Ph.D., Interim Dean, Arts and Sciences

William Sokoloff, Ph.D.

Bachelor of Arts

The BA in legal studies is designed to prepare undergraduates for entry into professions where knowledge of the legal/constitutional order is expected. These fields include law, public administration, and city government/management positions. The legal studies degree consists of courses that give students the theoretical, historical, social, and political foundations to understand law in a democratic polity. Research, critical thinking, and argumentation are crucial components of this degree. Legal studies students who plan to go on to law school should consider taking a preparatory LSAT course and intern for a judge at a local court.

Legal Studies Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate knowledge of competing theories of the law
Demonstrate knowledge of the impact the unequal distribution of wealth has on the legal order
Demonstrate knowledge of how a bill becomes a law
Demonstrate knowledge of the relationships between law, power, democracy, punishment, rights, and citizenship
Demonstrate knowledge of major Supreme Court decisions
Demonstrate knowledge of the historical foundations of the American legal order
Demonstrate knowledge of the role social movements have played in the American legal order
Demonstrate proficiency in original research, critical thinking, and argumentation


Major Core Requirements (18 credits)
SOCU 101	Introduction to Sociology	3
POSU 110	Introduction to American Politics	3
SOCU 201	Social Research Design	3
SOCU 450	Social and Political Theory	3
SSCU 497	Integrative Seminar for the Social Sciences I	3
SSCU 498	Integrative Seminar for the Social Sciences II	3
Required Legal Studies Upper-Division Courses (15 credits)
POSU 301/ PHLU 301	History of Political Philosophy I	3
POSU 302/ PHLU 302	History of Political Philosophy II	3
POSU 342/ HISU 323	The Western Legal Tradition	3
POSU 344/ HISU 324	Constitutional Rights	3
HISU 397/ SSCU 397/ SOCU 397	Social Movements in the Sixties	3
Elective Legal Studies Upper-Division Courses (12 credits)
ENGU 305	Business Writing	3
HISU 330	America and Its Revolution: The Bonfires of Change	3
POSU 445/ CJCU 445	Moot Court	3
POSU 499	Independent Study	3
PSYU 395	Psychology, Ethics and the Law	3
PSYU 496/ CJCU 530	Survey of Forensic Psychology	3
SOCU 328	Social Inequality/ Stratification	3
SOCU 380/ CJCU 380	Correctional Systems	3
SOCU 403/ CJCU 403	Police and Society	3
SOCU 440/ CJCU 440	Drugs and Society	3
SOCU 453	Sociology of Social Conflict, Analysis, and Resolution	3
SOCU 460/ CJCU 460	White Collar Crime	3
Total credits in major		45

Minor in Legal Studies

A minor in Legal Studies requires a total of 18 credits distributed as outlined below:


POSU 110	Introduction to American Politics	3
POSU 240	Introduction to Law	3
SOCU 450	Social and Political Theory	3
Any three courses from Required Legal Studies Upper-Division Courses or Elective Legal Studies Upper-Division Courses		9
Total Credits in minor		18