Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Legal Studies - Major


Law touches every aspect of our lives. It is in the way that governments exercise their authority over individuals and corporations, in how the courts hear cases and interpret rules that impact the most intimate of our social relations - it is politics, individual rights, economics, power and oppression, protection, and can be used to achieve social justice. All organizations - from multinational corporations and federal agencies to small businesses and local non-profits - operate in a complex and dynamic legal environment. Understanding the legal environment is a clear advantage to college graduates seeking jobs and careers in a variety of industries and professional fields. The Legal Studies major is designed for students whose graduate study and career prospects will be enhanced by the knowledge of law, as well as the skills of logical analysis, effective communication, and ethical reasoning.

Nazareth College’s interdisciplinary major in Legal Studies introduces the students to our judicial system, fundamental concepts of law, the ways in which law and society interact, and major areas of legal practice. It also develops those skills of analysis and communication that are essential in all areas of professional work. Students are encouraged to connect their learning with their career goals by choosing elective courses from one of five tracks designed to complement diverse graduate study plans and professional aspirations.

Legal Studies major is a 33-credit program consisting of six required courses, required internship, and four elective courses taken from one of five tracks designed to complement diverse career plans.

Core Curriculum Requirements


All Nazareth students complete Core Curriculum coursework as part of their degree requirements. The Core provides a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences while guiding students to pose and explore their own intellectual questions. See Academic Policies and Procedures  for specific core curriculum requirements. 

Required Courses


All Legal Studies majors are required to take the following:

Elective Tracks


Legal Studies majors choose one of the following five elective tracks and complete 12 credits as specified.

Public Policy, Politics and Government Track


 

Take any four courses (12 credits) from the following list:

Business Management and Administration Track


Complete a total of 12 credits.

In addition, take three courses (9 credits) from the following list:

Non-Profit Management and Advocacy Track


Take any four courses (12 credits) from the following list:

Law Track


Take any four courses (12 credits) from the following list:

Legal Studies Sample Program


FRESHMAN YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
ENGW 101 Exposition   3 ENGW 102 Argument and Research   3
ACS 101 Academic and College Success   1 Foreign Language with Lab (same language) 4
First Year Seminar (FYS) PEQ (1) 3 PEQ (4) 3
PEQ (2) 3 PEQ (5) 3
PEQ (3)  3 PEQ (6) 3
Foreign Language with Lab (same language) 4    
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 17 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 16
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
PEQ (7) Science with Lab 4 PEQ (8)  3
Integrative Studies (IS) - 1 3 Integrative Studies (IS) - 2 3
ENGW 250 Written and Visual Rhetoric   3 LGS 255 Legal Writing & Research   3
LGS 251 Introduction to Law      3 Ethics (PHL 210 Ethics   or RES 391 Biomedical Ethics  or COMM 302 Media Ethics and Law  ) 3
LGS Major Elective Track course (1/4) 3 LGS Major Elective Track course (2/4) 3
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 16 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15
 
JUNIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
Integrative Studies (IS) - 3 3 CME 050 Core Milestone Experience   0
Health & Wellness 0 LGS 483 Law Internship I   3
LGS 352 U.S. Constitutional History I: Government and the Economy  or
LGS 353 U.S. Constitutional History II: Rights and Liberties  
3 Elective 3
LGS Major Elective Track Course (3/4) 3 Elective 3
Elective 3 Elective 3
Elective 3 Elective 3
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15
 
SENIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
LGS Major Elective Track course (4/4) 3 LGS 440 Junior-Senior Seminar in Legal Studies    3
Elective 3 Elective 3
Elective 3 Elective 3
Elective 3 Elective 3
Elective 3 Elective 3
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15