About the Program
Government, Planning, and Philosophy Department
Cassety Hall 202
(716) 878-6116
https://gpp.buffalostate.edu
The legal studies minor is designed to prepare students for successful admission to law school by exposing students to a variety of subject matters and providing a balance in students’ educational experiences. Selecting courses from among those offered through the legal studies minor will help students develop oral and written communication proficiency, as well as acquire knowledge of legal history, theory, and philosophy. The optional Mock Trial course requires students to use analytical and problem-solving skills to construct factually sound and logically consistent oral arguments.
Admission Requirements
Any matriculated student in good academic standing may declare this program.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
1. Appraise the existing literature in a given topic area of U.S. Public Law and how the major historical schools of thought explain that topic
2. Defend valid conclusions concerning points of U.S. law based on analysis of literature and employment of appropriate legal oral and written skills
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the civic dispositions and skills conducive to democratic involvement and global awareness
Program Requirements
Required Courses (9 credit hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
PSC250 INTRODUCTION TO LAW | 3 - Credit Hours
PHI103 INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC | 3 - Credit Hours
OR PHI107 INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL LOGIC | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC485 MOCK TRIAL | 1 - 3 Credit Hours
OR PSC420 CONTEMPORARY CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES | 3 - Credit Hours
OR PSC421 DISCRIMINATION AND THE U.S. CONSTITUTION | 3 - Credit Hours
Electives (9 credit hours)
Selected from at least two different departments:
Earn at least 9 credits from the following:
BUS334 BUSINESS LAW I | 3 - Credit Hours
BUS335 BUSINESS LAW II | 3 - Credit Hours
COM400 COMMUNICATION LAW | 3 - Credit Hours
CRJ303 CRIMINAL JUSTICE THEORY AND IDEOLOGY | 3 - Credit Hours
CRJ307 COMPARATIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM | 3 - Credit Hours
CRJ317 CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE | 3 - Credit Hours
CRJ320 CRIMINAL COURTS | 3 - Credit Hours
CRJ425 RACE, ETHNICITY, AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE | 3 - Credit Hours
CRJ430 GENDER AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE | 3 - Credit Hours
HIS341 AFRICAN AMERICANS AND CIVIL RIGHTS | 3 - Credit Hours
HIS342 ENGLISH LEGAL HISTORY | 3 - Credit Hours
HTR470 LEGAL ISSUES IN HOSPITALITY | 3 - Credit Hours
PHI301 JUSTICE: LIBERTY VS. EQUALITY | 3 - Credit Hours
PHI304 PHILOSOPHY OF LAW | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC308 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL LAW | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC317 U.S. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC320 U.S. CIVIL LIBERTIES | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC321 CIVIL PROCEDURE | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC398 LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING | 3 - Credit Hours
SOC380 SOCIOLOGY OF CRIME | 3 - Credit Hours
SOC383 SOCIOLOGY OF PUNISHMENT AND CORRECTIONS | 3 - Credit Hours
SPC321 RHETORICAL CRITICISM | 3 - Credit Hours
18 Total Credit Hours