Major in Law and American Civilization
Majors must complete 54 units. The program is divided into four parts, and writing skills are emphasized throughout.
- First, students must complete two introductory courses, one each in political science and economics, which acquaint students with the nature of law and its role in American society.
- Second, students will take four required courses: one at the lower-division, two at the upper-division level and an advanced writing course. These courses further situate students in American culture, politics, judicial policymaking and logical thinking.
- Third, students will have several options in choosing electives, which will be offered by several departments: Accounting, Mass Communication and Communication Studies, English, History, Philosophy and Religious Studies, and Political Science.
- Fourth and finally, students will undertake a 6-unit capstone experience of their choice and, if possible, design. Advanced students may wish to undertake a project in the workplace and then write an evaluative essay on that experience as it fits into the overall program. Other students will participate in a senior seminar, in which they will write a research paper on some aspect of the law or develop a thesis supervised by the program director. Finally, qualified students may choose to write an honors thesis.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Courses | ||
| ECON 201 | MICROECONOMIC PRINCIPLES | 3 |
| POSC 209 | INTRODUCTION TO LAW | 3 |
| Required Courses | ||
| ENGL 310 | WRITING ARGUMENT | 3 |
| COMM 331 | ADVOCACY & ARGUMENT | 3 |
| PHIL 111 | INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC | 3 |
| POSC 384 | JUDICIAL SYSTEM | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select two courses in each of the following topics (students will need to fulfill each department’s individual prerequisites before taking these courses): | ||
| Accounting, Communication Studies or Mass Communitation | 6 | |
Select two of the following: | ||
| PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING | ||
| LEGAL ENVIRONMENT OF BUSINESS | ||
| BUSINESS LAW | ||
| PERSUASION | ||
| English | 6 | |
Select any two English literature courses at the 300- or 400-level 2 | ||
| History | 6 | |
Select any two History courses at the 300 or 400 level with a specific geographical focus on American and U.S. History. Courses currently approved are: | ||
| AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY: 1865 - 1950 | ||
| AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY SINCE 1950 | ||
| THE AMERICAN COLONIES 1492-1763 | ||
| THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD 1763-1800 | ||
| THE CIVIL WAR | ||
| THE FDR ERA | ||
| RECENT AMERICAN HISTORY: 1945-1975 | ||
| UNITED STATES LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, AND QUEER HISTORIES | ||
| DIPLOMATIC HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES SINCE 1900 | ||
| THE AMERICAN WEST | ||
| THE CITY IN AMERICAN HISTORY | ||
| IMMIGRANTS & IMMIGRATION IN THE UNITED STATES | ||
| NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY TO 1900 | ||
| NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY SINCE 1900 | ||
| AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY TO THE MID-19TH CENTURY | ||
| AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY FROM THE MID-19TH CENTURY | ||
| WORKERS AND WORK IN THE UNITED STATES | ||
| Philosophy | 6 | |
| RACE, CLASS AND GENDER | ||
Select one additional 300- or 400-level Philosophy course or any two 300- or 400-level Philosophy courses | ||
| Political Science | 6 | |
Select any two 300- or 400-level Political Science courses with a specific geographical focus on American politics and government. Courses currently approved are: | ||
| POLITICS OF METROPOLITAN GROWTH AND CHANGE | ||
| URBAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS | ||
| AFRICAN-AMERICAN POLITICS | ||
| PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION | ||
| THE PRESIDENCY | ||
| CONGRESS | ||
| AMERICAN POLITICAL PARTIES | ||
| CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AND POLITICS | ||
| CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES: THE FIRST AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS | ||
| CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS: PERSONAL LIBERTY AND THE RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED. | ||
| POLITICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY | ||
| THE SUPREME COURT | ||
| LEGAL THEORY | ||
| POLITICAL THEORY I | ||
| POLITICAL THEORY II | ||
| AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT | ||
| INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ORGANIZATION | ||
| INTEREST GROUPS AND PUBLIC POLICY | ||
| SPEC TOPICS POSC | ||
| Seminar and/or Capstone Experience | ||
| Select one of the four options: | 6 | |
| Option I | ||
| THESIS IN LAW AND AMERICAN CIVILIZATION | ||
Select one of the following: | ||
| SEMINAR IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC POLICY | ||
| SEMINAR IN LAW AND JUDICIAL SYSTEM | ||
| SEMINAR IN POLITICAL THEORY | ||
| SEMINAR IN STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT | ||
| Option II | ||
| PRACTICUM IN LAW AND AMERICAN CIVILIZATION | ||
| THESIS IN LAW AND AMERICAN CIVILIZATION | ||
| Option III | ||
| PRACTICUM IN LAW AND AMERICAN CIVILIZATION | ||
Select one of the following: | ||
| SEMINAR IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC POLICY | ||
| SEMINAR IN LAW AND JUDICIAL SYSTEM | ||
| SEMINAR IN POLITICAL THEORY | ||
| SEMINAR IN STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT | ||
| Option IV | ||
| DIRECTED READINGS IN LWAC | ||
| HONORS THESIS IN LWAC | ||
Suggested Four-Year Plan
Based on course availability and student needs and preferences, the selected sequences will probably vary from those presented below. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| PHIL 111 (Core 5) | 3 | ECON 201 (Core 6) | 3 |
| POSC 103 (Recommended Core 11) | 3 | ENGL 221 (Suggested)1 | 3 |
| Core 1 (or Core 2) | 3 | POSC 209 | 3 |
| Core 7 | 4 | Core 2 (or Core 1) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Core 3 | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| COMM 131 (Suggested)2 | 3 | ACCT / COMM / MCOM Approved Course | 3 |
| ENGL 222 (Suggested)1 | 3 | PHIL 204 | 3 |
| HIST 145 (Suggested)2 | 3 | POSC 384 | 3 |
| Core 8 | 4 | Core 4 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| COMM 331 | 3 | ACCT / COMM / MCOM Approved Course | 3 |
| ENGL 310 (Core 9) | 3 | Upper-Level ENGL Course | 3 |
| Upper-Level HIST Course | 3 | Upper-Level PHIL Course | 3 |
| Upper-Level PHIL Course | 3 | Upper-Level POSC Course | 3 |
| Core 10 | 3 | Core 12 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| Seminar and/or Capstone Experience | 3 | Seminar and/or Capstone Experience | 3 |
| Upper-Level ENGL Course | 3 | Upper-Level POSC Course | 3 |
| Upper-Level HIST Course | 3 | Core 14 | 3 |
| Core 13 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 1 |
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Total Units 120 | |||