Legal Studies Requirements (BA/BS)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Coursework - 52 units 1, 2 | ||
| LEGALST 101 | INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL STUDIES | 1 |
| POLISCI 141 | AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS | 3 |
| POLISCI 240 | LAW AND SOCIETY | 3 |
| LEGALST 300 | LEGAL STUDIES RESEARCH METHODS | 3 |
| POLISCI 302 | WRITING IN POLITICS, GOVERNMENT, AND LAW | 3 |
| POLISCI 418 | LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING | 3 |
| POLISCI 419 | THE JUDICIAL PROCESS | 3 |
| LEGALST 493 | INTERNSHIP IN LEGAL STUDIES | 1-12 |
| Public Law: | 6-9 | |
| CONSTITUTIONAL LAW | ||
| THE CONSTITUTION AND CIVIL LIBERTIES | ||
| CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND THE CONSTITUTION | ||
| THE CONSTITUTION AND CIVIL RIGHTS | ||
| Business Law: | 3-6 | |
| BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL LAW | ||
| ADVANCED BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL LAW | ||
| ESTATES AND TRUSTS | ||
| EMPLOYMENT LAW | ||
| CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW | ||
| Political Institutions: | 3 | |
| THE AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE PROCESS | ||
| THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY | ||
| AMERICAN INTEREST GROUP POLITICS | ||
| STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT | ||
| Public Policy & Law: | 3 | |
| POLICE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION | ||
| PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS AND ADVOCACY | ||
| U.S. DISABILITY POLITICS AND POLICY | ||
| SCIENCE POLICY AND HUMAN HEALTH | ||
| US ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS AND POLICY | ||
| FORMATION OF PUBLIC POLICY | ||
| GENDER LAW AND POLICY | ||
| International & Comparative Systems: | 3 | |
| FEDERALISM | ||
| INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS | ||
| INTERNATIONAL LAW | ||
| INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | ||
| AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY | ||
| COMPARATIVE LAW AND DEVELOPMENT | ||
| Theory and Ethics: | 3 | |
| BLACK POLITICAL AND SOCIAL THOUGHT | ||
| ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL POLITICAL THOUGHT: GREEK, ROMAN, CHRISTIAN | ||
| MODERN POLITICAL THOUGHT | ||
| CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL THOUGHT | ||
| POLITICS, JUSTICE, AND LAW | ||
| AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT | ||
| SEXUAL ETHICS | ||
| Breadth: 3 | 6-9 | |
| MANAGING CONFLICT | ||
| PERSUASION | ||
| CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION | ||
| LAW OF MASS COMMUNICATION | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY | ||
| LOGIC | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS | ||
| FUNDAMENTALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAW | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY | ||
| Total Credits: | 52 | |
- 1
An approved minor is not required for this major.
- 2
Exit Interview required.
- 3
No more than 6 units from one department.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Units | Spring | Units |
| ENGLISH 101 | 3 | ENGLISH 102 | 3 |
| CORE 140 | 3 | MATH 139 | 3 |
| POLISCI 240 | 3 | CORE 130 | 3 |
| U.S. Reacial/Ethnic Diversity Course | 3 | LEGALST 101 | 1 |
| PEGNRL 192 | 1 | POLISCI 141 | 3 |
| INTRAUNV 104 | 1 | General Education Elective | 3 |
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Units | Spring | Units |
| POLISCI 301 | 3 | POLISCI 302 | 3 |
| Public Policy and Law Course | 3 | Political Institutions Course | 3 |
| CORE 110 | 3 | International and Comparative Systems Course | 3 |
| BA World Language Course | 4 | BA World Language Course | 4 |
| University Requirement GN/GQ Course | 3 | COMM 110 | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Units | Spring | Units |
| Public Law Course | 3 | POLISCI 419 | 3 |
| Business Law Course | 3 | Public Law Course | 3 |
| Legal Studies Breadth Course | 3 | Theory and Ethics Course | 3 |
| University Requirement Lab Science (GL) Course | 4-5 | Legal Studies Breadth Course | 3 |
| CORE 390 | 3 | BA 300/400 Breadth Requirement Course | 3 |
| 16-17 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Units | Spring | Units |
| LEGALST 493 | 3 | POLISCI 418 | 3 |
| Public Law, Business, or Breadth Course | 3 | Elective Course | 3 |
| BA 300/400 Breadth Requirement Course | 3 | Elective Course | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 | Elective Course | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total Units: 120-121 | |||
The curriculum in the legal studies major is flexible and allows students to move through the coursework in many ways. This four-year plan illustrates one possible path a new freshman could take to complete a degree in four years. This is not an official document and is not the only way that a legal studies degree can be completed in four years. Current students should refer to their individual Academic Advising Report for specific graduation requirements. Courses in bold indicate major-based coursework that is completed in the first year
Notes: The math and English courses you will take during your first year will depend on exam scores. This four-year plan reflects the math and English courses most common for students in this major. All students are encourage to provide test scores prior to attending Warhawks SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration).
Opportunities: The Legal Eagles learning experience is a great option for first-year students interested in the legal studies major or professions in law or law enforcement.
Opportunities: Legal studies majors may plan a study abroad experience during their sophomore year. Travel opportunities can be found through the Center for Global Education (http://www.uww.edu/international). In addition, faculty routinely organize and lead travel study courses that involve in-class learning during the semester followed by a short-term travel experience either in the US or abroad. Undergraduate research is highly recommended for students who have an interest in attending graduate school in the future. Completing a directed research project with a faculty mentor has many benefits: it develops a student’s critical thinking and writing abilities, signals to graduate school programs that a student is prepared for independent research of their own, and it can provide a student with financial support since many undergraduate research opportunities are paid.
Opportunities: An internship (Political Science 493) is required for the legal studies major and is a great opportunity for practical experience. An internship is an experiential learning opportunity that provides students with hands-on experience in potential career field, supervision and coaching from prospective employers, and the ability to learn professional norms and behaviors. In addition, completing an internship allows students to differentiate themselves in a competitive job market. Students should begin planning for an internship by the beginning of the junior year and can complete the internship in the junior or senior year.
Notes: All students must earn 120 credits to earn a bachelor’s degree and all requirements in this program can be completed in fewer than 120 credits. Most students have the opportunity to choose additional courses in the fourth year to expand skills, explore interests, or try something new.
Opportunities: LSINDP 399: Career Information in Letters and Sciences is a 1-credit course that focuses on career and graduate school opportunities; identifying skills, strengths, and work values; creating effective job search materials; developing a networking strategy; and planning for a successful post-graduation transition.
Planning for Graduation: Students are encouraged to apply for graduation one full semester prior to their intended graduation date. Information about commencement and the application for graduation are on the Registrar’s Office website (http://www.uww.edu/registrar/graduation).