Law Studies

The minor in law studies is designed for any students interested in studying law, even those who don't plan on attending law school.

Although the minor is beneficial for students who wish to structure their academic program to help prepare for law school, many of our students do not intend to continue on to law school — they simply want to understand law better in order to gain deeper insight into their own field of study. For example, the minor can benefit students interested in human resources management, political science, construction management and supply chain management who want to learn more about the field of law and its many diverse issues and perspectives and how such issues may affect them in their professions.

Hands-On Learning

Internship Opportunities

At Clarkson, we know that hands-on experience is the best way to learn any job. That's why we promote student opportunities to intern in law offices. In the law studies minor, you work with local lawyers in real-world situations. Third year students can arrange a semester of co-op experience through Clarkson's Career Center. Clarkson's reputation for hardworking, intelligent graduates makes students prime candidates for pre-degree employment, especially in summer positions.

Franklin Pierce Law Center

An agreement between Clarkson and the Franklin Pierce Law Center benefits students interested in specializing in intellectual property law. The center, based in Concord, New Hampshire, is internationally known for producing specialists in patent law and other intellectual property fields. If you are admitted to Clarkson, you can also receive a provisional admission to the Franklin Pierce Law Center.

Washington, D.C., Semester

Students in the law studies minor may also benefit from the Washington, D.C., semester. You can spend a semester as a student at American University, taking classes and participating in extraordinary internships at places like the World Bank, NBC, Greenpeace and Homeland Security and/or as a legislative aide to members of Congress.

Law Studies Minor Core Requirements

All courses are 3 credits unless noted.

Students are required to complete the following courses:

Perspectives of the Law

LW270 Law and Society I
POL400 Constitutional Law

Law Studies Minor Portfolio

LW499 Law Studies Minor Portfolio

Law Studies Minor Core I

Students are required to take courses in the following groups:

Areas of Law

Students must take two of the following courses:

LW466 The Law of the Workplace
LW471 Law and Society II
POL371 Environmental Law
LW352 Reading for the Law: Legal Issues in Non-Fiction Literature
PHIL/POL380 Law and Bioethics
POL362 Human Rights Law and Politics

Communication

Students must take one of the following courses:

COMM210 Theory of Rhetoric for Business, Science and Engineering
COMM217 Introduction to Public Speaking
COMM410 Theory and Philosophy of Communication
PHIL330 Logic for Critical Thinking
COMM417 Business and Professional Speaking

Law Studies Minor Core II

Students must take one of the following courses:

Policy/Social Issues

ANTH332 Cities and Social Justice
COMM 310 Mass Media and Society
COMM428 Public Debate and the Environment
LIT335/POL335 Violence & Reconciliation
PHIL240 Contemporary Moral Issues
PHIL243 Business Ethics
PHIL310 World Religions & Contemporary Issues
PHIL341 Professional Ethics
PHIL405 Sustainability Theory & Practice
POL372 Biofuel & Farm Policy
POL/SOC470 Environmental Policy
POL471 Energy Policy
SOC330 Health, Wealth, Integrity & Environment
LW490 Internship (subject to availability)

Taking the different minor courses has exposed me to many different aspects of law. Not only have I gained a better legal understanding through the different classes, but I have also been able to form and shape my ethical contract through the teachings of my professors.
Maria Sergi '20 financial information and analysis

Hands-On Learning

Law Studies Minor Core Requirements

Law Studies Minor Core I

Law Studies Minor Core II

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