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Legal Studies (LGST)

Assistant Professor: S. Achury (Coordinator)

Major: Legal Studies
Courses required for major: 10
Capstone requirement: LGST 401
Minors: Legal Studies

The major is designed to enhance understanding of how law operates through interdisciplinary perspectives, integrating law-related offerings in accounting, anthropology, criminal justice, history, political science, philosophy, and religion. The interdisciplinarity of the major aims to equip students with critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and ethical decision-making skills, fostering a deeper understanding of the role of law in shaping public policy and societal norms. Additionally, the program emphasizes experiential learning, integrating opportunities for internships, community-based learning opportunities, and hands-on engagement with legal professionals, providing students with practical experience that complements their academic coursework, bridging theory and practice.

Major Requirements

A major in Legal Studies consists of ten courses as follows: Five Core Courses

These courses offer students a theoretical and methodological framework for understanding how the law shapes public policy and societal norms.

Select one course from the following:
PHIL 120  Introduction to Moral Philosophy
PHIL 125  Introduction to Political Philosophy

Required:
PHIL 225  Symbolic Logic
PSCI 130  The American Legal System
PSCI 232  Constitutional Law
LGST 401  Applied Legal Research and Writing

Five Elective Courses

Students must take five elective courses distributed among the following groups.

A. Law and Justice (select one course)
CJCR 210  Introduction to the Administration of Justice
CJCR 211  Ethics in Criminal Justice
CJCR 243  Courts and Sentencing
HIST 338  Rights, Reform, and Protest
PSCI 242  Human Rights
PSCI 239  Special Topics in Legal Studies
PSCI 331  Civil Rights and Liberties
REL 237  What is Justice?

B. Philosophical Foundations of Law (select one course)
PHIL 318  C. Philosophical Issues in Criminal Justice
PHIL 334  Contemporary Political Philosophy
PHIL 336  Contemporary Moral Philosophy

When the topic is relevant to legal studies, the program will support an ASC appeal for PHIL 340 as an elective in this category.

C. Law and Diverse Communities (select one course)
ANTH 334  Economic Anthropology
ANTH 311  Power and Prestige
CJCR 346  Comparative Criminal Justice
CJCR 334  Race, Class, Gender and Crime
HIST 342  Women and Reform
PSCI 341  Women and Law

D. Electives (select any two additional courses from elective lists A, B, C, or D)
ACCT 110  Financial Accounting
ACCT 235  Legal Principles
ACCT 225  Budgeting and Financial Statement Analysis
ACCT 236  Legal and Ethical Issues for Accountants
BUS 238  Fundamentals of Financial Management
BUS 310  Human Resources Management
BUS 315  Privately Owned Business Management
CMS 211  Public Speaking
CMS 349  Political Communication
CJCR 448/449  Criminal Justice Practicum I/II
ECON 332  Government and the Economy
ECON 337  Public Economics
ECON 225  Environmental Economics
ECON 335  Labor Economics
ECON 343  International Trade
HIST 125  US to 1877
HIST 126  US Since 1877
HIST 324  Early American Law and Society
LGST 201  Foundations of Trial Advocacy
LGST 202  Fundamentals of Legal Reasoning
LGST 301  Anatomy of a Criminal Trial
LGST 448  Legal Studies Practicum
PSCI 259  Criminal Law
PSCI 339  Judicial Politics and Behavior
PSY 116  Abnormal Psychology
PSY 216  Abnormal Child Psychology
PSY 211  Learning Disabilities
PSY 237  Cognition
PSY 242  Drugs, Behavior, and Society
PSY 310  Forensic Psychology

Students interested in applying to law school are recommended to take some of the following electives: LGST 201, 202, 301, and 448.

Students interested in corporate law or interested in running their own firm are recommended to take some of the following electives: ACCT 110, 225; BUS 238, 310, 315; ECON 332, 337, 225, 335, and 343.

Capstone Requirement

All majors must successfully complete LGST 401 Applied Legal Research and Writing.

Minor Requirements

A minor in Legal Studies consists of five courses as follows: PHIL 120 or 125; PSCI 130; three additional courses that count toward the Legal Studies major numbered 200 or higher from a minimum of two prefixes.

201
FOUNDATIONS OF TRIAL ADVOCACY
How does the adversarial system ensure fairness in legal proceedings, and what role do trial advocacy skills play in upholding justice? This course presents an overview of the foundations of the adversarial system, explains the rules of evidence, and teaches the principles that govern direct and cross-examinations. Through hands-on exercises, students practice opening statements, witness examinations, objections, and closing arguments. The course culminates in a mock trial, in which students take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses in a simulated courtroom.

202
FUNDAMENTALS OF LEGAL REASONING
Emphasizes developing essential tools for legal analysis through skills in logical reasoning and reading comprehension. Students examine case law and statutes in class discussions and problem-solving exercises to improve their ability to identify logical fallacies and construct persuasive arguments. Prerequisite: PHIL 225 or consent of instructor.

301
ANATOMY OF A CRIMINAL TRIAL
Much of what the public knows about criminal trials is learned from watching television. This course dissects the criminal trial process, beginning with when charges are initially filed, to pre-trial hearings, the trial and verdict, and
then concludes with post-trial motions and appeals. The role of the judge, defense attorney, and prosecutor is explored inept. Additional topics include trial preparation and advocacy, how evidence is used in trials, and how sentences are developed. Over the course of the semester, students analyze specific cases to understand how this process is carried out. Prerequisite: PSCI 130 or consent of instructor.

401
APPLIED LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING
Designed to develop the skills needed to find, read, and analyze legal sources in order to write persuasive briefs, memoranda, and pleadings. Prepares students to attend law school or work in the legal profession. Prerequisite: PSCI 130 or consent of instructor.

448
LEGAL STUDIES PRACTICUM
This experiential course places students in legal environments, such as law firms, courts, or advocacy organizations, enabling them to apply classroom knowledge to real-world legal practices. Prerequisite: Junior or senior status and successful completion of the practicum application.