Law and Legal Studies Minor

The minor in law and legal studies offers an interdisciplinary, liberal arts approach to the study of law. This is an academic program, not a professional training program, emphasizing the political, social, cultural, and philosophical foundations and impacts of law and legal systems. It is designed for pre-law students and also for a broad array of students from across the PSU campus who are interested in the relationship of law to politics, society, and culture. While the core courses concentrate on American law and the American legal system, the electives allow students to focus on aspects of law related to areas such as international law, comparative law, and philosophy.

Requirements

Lower Division Requirements

PS 101United States Government

4
PS 221Introduction to Law and Legal Studies

4

Upper Division Requirements

PS 421The Supreme Court and American Politics

4

Electives (16 credits)

Political Science options (minimum 8 credits)
PS 422Constitutional Law

4
PS 423Civil Liberties

4
PS 424Law, Politics, and Society

4
PS 425/WS 424Women and the Law

4
PS 448International Law

4
PS 449International Environmental Politics and Law

4
PS 483Justice in the Modern World

4
Non-Political Science options (maximum 8 credits)
CCJ 310American Courts

4
CCJ 420Criminal Law and Legal Reasoning

4
Phl 311UThe Morality of Punishment

4
Phl 333UPhilosophy of Law

4
Hst 446Civil Rights and the Law: The History of Equal Protection

4
Hst 447U.S Constitutional History: Foundations

4
Hst 448U.S. Constitution: Nineteenth Century

4
Hst 449U.S. Constitution: Twentieth Century

4
Electives approved by Law and Legal Studies advisor (maximum 8 credits)
Total Credit Hours:28

For law and legal studies minors who are also majoring or minoring in political science, at least three electives (12 credits) must be applied solely to the law and legal studies minor. In order to count toward fulfillment of the minor, courses must be passed with a grade of C or above.