Undergraduate Minor in Legal Studies

This course will introduce students to the study of American law. It is a required course designed to give students the knowledge and skills that will prepare them for the other courses that contribute to a Minor in Legal Studies, as well as applying to and succeeding in law school. What are the institutions (such as the legislature and the courts) and sources of law (such as statutes and judicial decisions) that comprise the American legal system? How do you read a judicial decision and understand how law develops over time? How do you "think like a lawyer"? This course may focus on a particular subject matter, such as administrative law or negotiations, to introduce the basic concepts.

Mondays, Wednesdays 1:15- 2:30 p.m.

This course will provide an introduction to Corporate Law. The course will focus on the core legal principles that govern the foundation of business entities. What is a corporation? What obligations or fiduciary duties do corporate directors and officers have to the corporation? What legal protections exist for shareholders of the corporation? In addition to covering the fundamental legal principles, this course will also consider theoretical issues such as whether corporations should prioritize maximizing economic value for shareholders over the interests of other stakeholders.

Mondays, Wednesdays 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Prerequisite/Corequisite: ULAW 1000.

This course will acquaint students with the basic pillars of the criminal justice system: why we have criminal punishment, how we define crime, and the process we use to punish it. Criminal law subject matter will include the elements of crime, defenses (such as self-defense, the insanity defense, and defenses based on neuroscience), the death penalty and sentencing more generally, and whether we criminalize too much conduct. Criminal procedure subject matter will include an examination of police stop and frisk and surveillance practices, pretrial detention, how plea-bargaining works, and the operation of the jury. The course will also cover the system¿s impact on people of color, the phenomenon known as mass incarceration, and the current movement to abolish aspects of the criminal legal system.

Tuesdays, Thursday 8:00 - 9:15 a.m.
Prerequisite/Corequisite: ULAW 1000.

This course examines the origins, evolution, and institutional design of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), one of the most significant governmental reorganizations in modern American history. Created by the Homeland Security Act of 2002, DHS represents the largest reorganization of the federal government since 1947 By the end of the course, students will have a nuanced understanding of homeland security as a field of governance-its history, institutional dynamics, policy tradeoffs, and global context.

Tuesdays, Thursdays 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Prerequisite/Corequisite: ULAW 1000.

This course provides a broad survey of artificial intelligence technology and its relationship to law and legal practice. Students will gain foundational knowledge of AI systems and explore their applications across various areas of legal work. The course examines ethical considerations, legal challenges, and current regulatory developments in AI and law. Designed for students without technical backgrounds and builds AI/legal literacy from introductory concepts, preparing students to adapt to continued evolution in this field.

Tuesdays, Thursdays 1:15 - 2:30 p.m.
Prerequisite/Corequisite: ULAW 1000.