BA in Law

This major is designed to help you understand the function and purpose of law in resolving conflicts and establishing justice both past and present; appreciate how the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges is reflected in public policies and the law, and help students appreciate how the law can be utilized to either promote or deny fairness, equality, equity, and rights. Students also gain an understanding of the roles of judges, attorneys, and juries in shaping policy outcomes in American society, and develop an appreciation for how legal actors and institutions function in constitutional frameworks outside the United States and in the realm of international law.

The Bachelor of Arts in Law is only one of many paths for preparing students for law school. Students interested in attending law school should select a major that matches their own personal interests and intellectual passions, whether that be in the social sciences, humanities, physical sciences, or business. The broad-based education in the social sciences provided by the BA in Law is an excellent preparation for a variety of non-legal careers in government, education, business, and international affairs.

Please note: You are not permitted to practice law or give legal advice with this undergraduate degree. Only licensed attorneys who have completed law school and passed one or more bar exams can perform these functions.

What Will You Study?

The dynamic curriculum of the Law major is designed to stimulate critical thinking about important and urgent issues of law, society, and justice, both in the United States and around the world. Subjects include American constitutional law and judicial politics; international law; comparative legal systems; and theories of justice, civil liberties, and social inequality. You will have the flexibility to supplement these core courses with designated major electives in a wide variety of academic fields.