Program Contact: Michelle D. Miller 203-582-3231
Quinnipiac University’s Law in Society program approaches the study of law, legal processes and legal institutions in the tradition of the humanities. The classic values of a liberal arts education are combined with the critical thinking, analytical writing and oral presentation skills of the legal profession to prepare graduates to become active and thoughtful citizens in their local and global communities. The Law in Society major culminates with the integration of the classroom component with professional skills development where students complete both a scholarly thesis and an internship in a professional, law-related setting. Graduates of the program are well prepared for a variety of careers in law and law-related fields such as policy, compliance, politics, paralegal, government, social services, criminal justice and conflict resolution, as well as to continue on to law school or to other graduate work in the humanities or social sciences.
Students in the Law in Society major take a wide variety of courses to learn and understand the complexities of the law. The core requirements provide students with the foundation to further explore various areas of law. Students learn to research, reason and write about the law, learn how the civil and constitutional systems work, and work at an internship in a law office setting. Students integrate their education in a senior capstone thesis course, which provides the opportunity to do independent research on a topic of their choosing, pulling together all the courses they have already taken.
A humanities-based approach to law necessitates an exposure to different methodologies and distinct approaches to the understanding of law. While the core component exposes students to the legal methodology and the policy context required to understanding the field of law, the elective requirements provide students with an understanding of how the law shapes and is shaped by particular perspectives, historical contexts and actual practice. The requirement of two Legal Practice courses and one Alternative Perspectives course helps the students to learn different ways of approaching legal problems and exposes them to various ways of problem solving. As part of the major requirements, students complete a legal studies certificate, approved by the American Bar Association.
BA in Law in Society Curriculum
Students majoring in Law in Society must meet the following requirements for graduation:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Curriculum 1 | 46 | |
| Modern Language Requirement | 3-6 | |
| Law in Society Core Requirements | ||
| Students must earn a grade of C or better in all Law in Society core requirements at the 200 level or above to move to the next required courses. | ||
| LE 101 | Introduction to the American Legal System | 3 |
| LE 211 | Legal Reasoning, Research and Writing I | 3 |
| LE 212 | Legal Reasoning, Research and Writing II | 3 |
| LE 305 | Civil Procedures | 3 |
| LE 340 | American Constitutional Law (PO353) | 3 |
| LE 485 | Legal Internship Seminar | 3 |
| LE 490 | Senior Seminar in Law in Society | 3 |
| Law in Society Elective Courses | ||
| At least 9 credits must be at the 300 level: | ||
| Legal Practice Electives | ||
| Select two courses of the following: | 6 | |
| Family Law | ||
| Wills, Probate and Estate Administration | ||
| Land Transfer and Closing Procedures | ||
| Employment Law | ||
| Law of Business Entities | ||
| Intellectual Property | ||
| Environmental Law (ENV 355) | ||
| Mediation | ||
| Negotiation | ||
| Alternative Perspectives in the Law Electives | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Gender and the Law (WGS 250) | ||
| International Law (PO 317) | ||
| International Law and the Individual | ||
| European Union Law | ||
| Immigration Law | ||
| Comparative Constitutional Law (PO 342) | ||
| International Environmental Law (ENV 356) | ||
| Additional Legal Studies Electives | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Introduction to Mock Trial | ||
| Competitive Mock Trial (may be taken up to three times, or twice if LE 150 was taken) | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Sports Law (SPS 224) | ||
| Law for Everyday Life | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Family Law | ||
| Health Care Law (HSC 322) | ||
| Three additional courses chosen from any LE elective, including those in Legal Practice and Alternative Perspectives | 9 | |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| SO 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Select a 200-level English course | 3 | |
| Select an American History course | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 5-8 | |
| Total Credits | 102-108 | |
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All students must complete the University Curriculum requirements.
Students also must complete a minor in any other department within the university.
Modern Language Requirement
All CAS students (both bachelor of science and bachelor of arts) must complete one modern language through the 102 level. Modern language courses may also count toward the UC Personal Inquiry II requirement. Students who have taken a language in high school should take the modern language placement test for that language. Students with placement scores at the 201 level or higher have demonstrated language competency and thus have passed out of the language requirement.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate the following competencies:
- Understand and critically assess how law is made, interpreted and applied in different contexts within the United States and abroad.
- Research, analyze and write a scholarly paper on a chosen topic related to law, incorporating humanities-based inquiry.
- Formulate and present a coherent, well-supported legal argument in both written and oral form to diverse audiences.
- Apply their legal skills and knowledge of the humanities in a professional law-related setting, consistent with ethical standards governing the legal profession.
- Understand the political, historical and social conditions underlying and affecting the law.
Admission Requirements: College of Arts and Sciences
The requirements for admission into the undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences programs are the same as those for admission to Quinnipiac University.
Admission to the university is competitive, and applicants are expected to present a strong college prep program in high school. Prospective first-year students are strongly encouraged to file an application as early in the senior year as possible, and arrange to have first quarter grades sent from their high school counselor as soon as they are available.
For detailed admission requirements, including required documents, please visit the Admissions page of this catalog.