PRE-LAW CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS


  • 18 credits
    • Required (3 courses/9 credits)
      • LW101 Introduction to Law
      • LW103 Legal Research (prerequisite LW101)
      • LW303 Advanced Legal Writing (prerequisite LW103) 

    • Elective (Pick 3 courses/9 credits)
      • LW370 Rights, Liberty & Justice; PH303 Introduction to Critical Thinking; LW302 Introduction to Criminal Law & Procedure; EN341 Advanced Writing; EN240 The Art of Persuasion: Introduction to Rhetorical Strategies; EN340 Professional and Technical Writing; EN450 Introduction to Critical Theory; CJ315 Laws & Rules of Evidence; MGT331 Corporate Legal Environment
      • Or, any other upper level course approved by the pre-law advisor that meets the general skills outlined by the ABA


Course Descriptions


LW 101 - 3 credits / Introduction to Law - Provides the student with an orientation and a working knowledge of the court system and legal structure of the United States and New York State. Specific written, verbal, analytical and conceptual skills associated with legal reasoning are developed using substantive law. The student‘s skills will be developed and defined from case readings, administrative regulations, statutes and bar association guidelines.

LW 103 - 3 credits / Legal Research - Legal Specialty Course Includes the development of basic skills in U.S. and New York State legal research for a working knowledge of the law library and online legal research sources as a primary objective. The student will study legal analysis, research and writing skills and strategies, and complete a legal research project. Prerequisite/Co-requisite: LW 101.

LW 303 - 3 credits / Advanced Legal Writing - Legal Specialty Course Students will develop advanced legal analysis and writing skills to complement the basic legal writing and research skills introduced in Legal Research. Special emphasis is given to analyzing authorities, briefing cases, synthesizing sources, interpreting primary sources, applying legal reasoning, organizing and drafting legal memoranda and correspondence. Prerequisite: LW 103 or permission of department.