Law and Society BA

Students in the Law major grapple with a number of important and pressing concerns, including the nature and functions of law in American society; the contested meanings of justice, freedom, equality, and rights; and the role and influence of courts, attorneys, and the police in the United States and around the world. Students explore a wide variety of controversial legal, political, and social issues, from the death penalty, affirmative action, and immigration policy, to free speech, police conduct, and Internet privacy.

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.