Law has long been one way of ordering and understanding the world. Students who major or minor in Socio-Legal Studies--an interdisciplinary program within the Division of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences--focus on fascinating questions that strike at the heart of modern society:
- How does law operate in people's everyday lives?
- How do social institutions shape law? How are social institutions shaped by law?
- How does law empower and constrain individuals, groups, organizations, and communities?
Requirements for the Major
Students graduating before fall 2012 must complete a minimum of 44 quarter credit hours in Socio-Legal Studies. Due to credit hour re-alignment taking place in some departments in fall 2012, some 5.0 credit hour courses will be reduced to 4.0 credit hour courses. This means students graduating in fall 2012 or after must complete a minimum of 40 quarter credit hours in Socio-Legal Studies.
The following courses are required:
- PLSC 1810: Introduction to Socio-Legal Studies--also fulfills Scientific Inquiry: Society requirement
- SOCI 2120: Methods of Socio-Legal Inquiry--Sophomore standing required.
- SOCI 2755: Legal Actors and Institutions
Students may choose from a variety of electives to complete the major (see list of approved electives below). To ensure a broad education, students majoring in Socio-Legal Studies must also complete a second major. Credits in the major must be earned at the level of "C-" or better, and the grade point average in major courses must be at least 2.0 to graduate.
We strongly encourage students to complete an internship and study abroad. Please see the Director of Socio-Legal Studies, Scott Phillips, to discuss such opportunities (contact information below).
The major is not a pre-professional degree. Students may be interested in attending law school, but law schools do not require a particular major or a particular curriculum. This major provides students with critical thinking and writing skills that are essential inside and outside of the legal field.
For more detailed information about the Socio-Legal Studies major, visit our Portfolio page here.
Requirements for the Minor
Students must complete a minimum of 20 hours in Socio-Legal Studies, including one of the following courses:
- PLSC 1810: Introduction to Socio-Legal Studies--also fulfills Scientific Inquiry: Society requirement
- SOCI 2120: Methods of Socio-Legal Inquiry--Sophomore standing required.
- SOCI 2755: Legal Actors and Institutions
Students may choose from a variety of electives to complete the minor (see list of approved electives below).
Only one course from the student's major department can count toward the minor.
For more detailed information about the Socio-Legal Studies minor, visit our Portfolio page here.
Advising Office Hours
During Fall Quarter 2012, Socio-Legal Studies Director, Scott Phillips, will hold office hours in Sturm 427 on from Tuesdays 9:30-10:30am, and Wednesdays 9:30-10:30am and 3:30-4:30pm. Students should sign up for an appointment using the list on Dr. Phillips's office door.
If these times don't work, please send an email to Scott Phillips, (scott.phillips@du.edu) to make an appointment.
Socio-Legal Electives
Environmental Science
ENVI 3000: Environmental Law
Media, Film and Journalism Studies
MFJS 3040: Mass Communication Law
MFJS 3700: New Media Law & Regulation
Philosophy
PHIL 2040: Practical Logic
PHIL 2150: Philosophy of Law
PHIL 2180: Ethics
PHIL 2184: Ethics, Individuals and the Law
PHIL 2700: Biomedical Ethics
PHIL 3175: Morality and the Law
PHIL 3701: Disability, Ability, and Justice
Political Science
PLSC 2001: Law and Politics
PLSC 2700: American Legal Systems
PLSC 2700: Environmental Law
PLSC 2700: Courts and Judicial Processes
PLSC 2820: Civil Rights
PLSC 2830: Law and Social Policy
PLSC 2840: International Law and Human Rights
PLSC 2860: Constitutional Law and Politics
PLSC 2880: Taming Tyranny: How Constitutions Frame Freedom
Sociology
SOCI 2250: Criminology
SOCI 2260: Deviance and Society
SOCI 2750: Sociology of Law
SOCI 2760: Discipline and Punishment
SOCI 2765: The Female Offender
SOCI 2770: Kids and Courts
SOCI 2775: Wrongful Conviction
SOCI 2780: Women and the Law
SOCI 2785: Family and the Law
SOCI 2795: Capital Punishment
SOCI 2820: Drugs and Society
