Academics > Majors and Areas of Study > Legal Studies

Legal phenomena extend throughout many contemporary political systems, playing an important role in shaping the conduct of life for both individuals and institutions. Study in the minor emphasizes the forces that shape law and the ways law has been used and understood by a variety of peoples in differing historical circumstances. Political, sociological, historical, and philosophical approaches to legal phenomena are included in the program, with other approaches always a possibility for the interested student.
The legal studies minor treats law as a subject of liberal inquiry, open to all students in any major or concentration. The legal studies minor, as a liberal studies program, is not a program in "prelaw" or professional preparation. For those students interested in law as a political, social, historical or philosophical phenomenon, however, the legal studies minor presents an opportunity to study one of the most important aspects of contemporary human society.

Minor Requirements:

1) 18 hours of course work organized according to either
Option 1 or Option 2.

Option 1:

6 courses (18 C.H.) with no more than two within the student's major(s).

Required: PoSc 306 or 436 and Soc 321 or 331

Four additional courses selected from the course list.

Option 2:

Individualized minor designed at the initiative of the student.

6 courses (18 C.H.) with no more than two within the student's major(s).

Students must have their program approved by the administrative committee of the legal studies program. See the chairperson of either political science or sociology for more information.

2) Recommended: For Options 1 and 2 an experiential component consisting of an internship in a law or law-related setting is recommended. Credit for this element of the program is over and above the 18 credit hour course requirement of the program. Internship proposals must be approved by a member of the program's administrative committee.

Course List:

All students should take introductory preparatory courses selected from political science, sociology, history, economics and philosophy prior to attempting course work within the minor.

Political Science: 306, 396, 436, 476, 316 (Topic - Civil Rights and Liberties)

Sociology: 191, 251, 261, 321, 331

History: 315, 335, 405, 455, 465

Enviromental Science: 200

Business Administration: 355, 356