The Legal Studies minor appeals to the needs of
a diverse student audience. The curriculum allows students to
acquire a broad liberal arts understanding of law. Students may
tailor the minor for a greater focus on the law in a particular
area of interest, or concentrate on professional skill building
as preparation for what they might expect in law school or in
a career related to law. The minor complements a variety of majors;
all disciplines need people who understand the legal issues within
their respective professions. In short, this minor is relevant
for either the workplace or graduate study.
A special version of the Legal Studies minor is
offered to Newhouse journalism majors who want to specialize in
legal reporting. This program gives students the education and
advice in law and legal affairs they need as reporters, editors,
or producers in print, broadcast, and online news media. For more
information on The Carnegie Legal Reporting Program at
Newhouse, contact Newhouse faculty member Mark Obbie
at mjobbie@syr.edu or 315-443-2848. Please visit their new web
site at http://newhouse-web.syr.edu/legal.
The 19-credit minor is available to matriculated
undergraduate students from Syracuse University schools and colleges
with the permission of their home school or college and a cumulative
grade point average of at least 2.5. To declare this minor, students
must submit a Declaration of Minor form to the Legal Studies Program,
their faculty advisor, and the dean's office of their home college.
Students interested in this minor are encouraged to consider enrolling
as freshmen or sophomores; however, juniors are not barred from
enrolling.
In general, a maximum of one course may be transferred
from another institution with prior approval of the Legal Studies
department. This minor is not intended to prepare students to
work as paralegals. Students who wish to become paralegals should
consider the Legal Studies credit certificate or bachelor's degree.
The American Bar Association has approved the certificate and
the degree program, but not this minor, as appropriate for paralegal
preparation.
Students must complete 19 credits of coursework
from the four groups listed below, or petition to substitute from
the optional grouping.
Group one
Introduction to Legal Systems
(3 credits required)
—LGL 201 Introduction to Legal Systems/Legal Ethics
Note: LPP 255 Introduction to the Legal System
or CAS 312/HST 382 Introduction to Law* may be substituted for
this requirement, subject to availability, prerequisites, and
restrictions on enrollment.
Group two
Legal Research and Writing
(four credits required)
— LGL 202 Legal Research and Writing
Group three
Introduction to Substantive Law
(three credits required)
—LGL 301 Tort Law
or
—LGL 304 Contracts and Commercial Law
or
—LGL 305 Property and Real Estate
or
—PSC 324 Constitutional Law I
Group four
Disciplines and Study Areas within the Law
(9 credits required; select any three courses)
Group four is used to tailor a student's specific area of study
to his or her requirements.
—HST 381 Historical Foundations of Modern Law
—HST 385 U.S. Legal History 1620-Present
—LGL 302 Criminal Law and Procedure*
—LGL 306 Family Law and Domestic Relations*
—LGL 321 Administrative Law*
—LGL 322 Alternative Dispute Resolution*
—LGL 331 Environmental Law*
—LGL 401 Civil Practice and Litigation*
—LGL 402 Estates, Wills, and Trusts*
—LGL 403 Business Organizations*
—LGL 404 Employment and Labor Law*
—LGL 405 Creditor, Debtor Law, and Bankruptcy*
—LGL 406 Healthcare Law*
—LGL 407 Intellectual Property*
—LGL 408 Municipal Law*
—LGL/SPM 415 Sport Law*
—LGL 421 Interviewing, Investigation, and Discovery*
—PSC 304 The Judicial Process*
—PSC 325 Constitutional Law II*
—PSC 352 International Law
—PSC 375 Philosophy of Law
—SOC 334 Criminal Justice
—WSP/PSC 374 Law and Society
Note: Special topics (300- or 400-numbered
courses) may satisfy group four requirements. Consult with your
academic advisor and the Legal Studies department.
Optional grouping
Subject to availability, restrictions, prerequisites, and permission,
students may elect to substitute these courses for those in group
four. They should consult with their home college advisor and
the Legal Studies department to secure the necessary approvals.
—ACC 385/685 Principles of Taxation*
—ACC 481/777 Taxation of Business Entities*
—CHE/STS 205 Social and Legal Aspects of Chemistry*
—COM 505 Communications Law for Journalists*
—COM 506 Communications Law for Television, Radio, and Film*
—COM 507 Communications Law for Advertising and Public Relations*
—CRS 546 Seminar Legal Communication*
—ECN 575/LAW 733 Law and Market Economy*
—ECS 391 Legal Aspects of Engineering and Computer Science
—EEE 442 Emerging Enterprise Law*
—IST 453 Telecommunications Regulations*
—LPP 457/757 The Law of Commercial Transactions*
—LPP 458/758 Environmental Law and Public Policy*
—LPP 464 Employment Law*
—LPP 558 Seminar in Law and Public Policy*
—MUI 405 Music Industry Law and Ethics*
—NHM 419 Hospitality Law*
—RCS/RTM 401Consumer Law*
—SPE 204 Inclusive Education and the Law
* Prerequisite required for class and/or permission
of instructor.
Contact Information
University College of Syracuse University
Student Administrative Services
700 University Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13244-2530
Phone: 315-443-3261
Faculty Contact: Bruce Hamm
700 University Avenue
315-443-2894
bfhamm@syr.edu
