Undergraduate Catalog

LEGAL STUDIES

College of Arts and Sciences, Interdisciplinary Program
John Roach Center for the Liberal Arts - JRC 406, (651) 962-5724
Director:  Dr. Caleb Goltz (POLS)

The minor in legal studies enables students to undertake a multidisciplinary examination of the relationship of law to culture and society. Understanding the foundations and nature of law and legal process is an integral element of a liberal arts education. Several departments within the university offer courses that examine the sociological, political, philosophical, journalistic, historical, economic and business aspects of legal behavior and legal systems.

By drawing on those courses, the legal studies minor exposes students to a variety of perspectives on the study of law and provides a broad understanding of the role of law in society.

The legal studies minor is not intended as a pre-law program, although it may prove especially attractive to students interested in careers in law, public administration or related professions. Its objective is to allow students to undertake an examination of law and legal process within a liberal arts context. 

Minor in Legal Studies

Twenty credits from the following list, or other courses selected with the approval of the program director. To ensure an interdisciplinary base of study, no more than eight credits may come from any one department. 

  • BLAW 301 Legal Environment of Business (4 credits)
  • BLAW 302 Business Law for Accounting (4 credits)
  • BLAW 303 International Business Law (4 credits)
  • BLAW 304 Real Estate Law (4 credits)
  • BLAW 351 Environmental Law (4 credits)
  • BLAW 352 Gender Issues and the Law (4 credits)
  • BLAW 353 Employment and Labor Law (4 credits)
  • BLAW 401 Legal Research, Advocacy, and Dispute Resolution (4 credits)
  • BLAW 402 Law of Electronic Commerce (4 credits)
  • BLAW 403 Marketing Law (4 credits)
  • CJUS 342 Criminal Law and Procedure (4 credits)
  • COJO 336 Media Law (4 credits)
  • ECON 321 Law and Economics (4 credits)
  • HIST 365 U.S. Constitutional History (4 credits)
  • PHIL 357 Political Philosophy (4 credits)
  • PHIL 359 Philosophy of Law (4 credits)
  • PHIL 398 Advanced Critical Thinking (4 credits)
  • POLS 312 Judicial Process and Politics (4 credits)
  • POLS 313 Constitutional Powers of Government (4 credits)
  • POLS 314 Constitutional Rights and Liberties (4 credits)
  • POLS 326 International Law and Organizations (4 credits)
  • POLS 414 Seminar in Judicial Politics (4 credits)
  • THEO 436 Christian Faith and the Legal Profession (4 credits)