Philosophy and Law

Why Should Pre-Law Students Study Philosophy? 

According to the American Philosophical Association, a wide range of philosophy courses are valuable to Pre-Law majors: Intermediate to advanced courses in logic; a number of courses in ethics, including political and social philosophy, philosophy of law and medical ethics; epistemology, which examines standards of evidence; philosophy of mind, which bears on issues of human motivation as well as those of moral and legal responsibility; philosophy of language, which dwells on multiple dimensions of communication; and philosophy of science, which is of particularly value for those interested in practicing in the areas of law concerned with technology and sciences.

(American Philosophical Association, “Philosophy: A Brief Guide for Undergraduates”).
Prospective Undergraduates: Request Information

B.A. in Philosophy: Concentration in Philosophy and Law

A minimum of 41 units is required for the degree

Required courses (8 units):

  • PHIL 205- Formal Logic
  • PHIL 320-GAWR Philosophical Analysis 
  • PHIL 696- Directed Reading: Learning Outcomes

 

15 units:

PHIL 303- Modern Philosophy

PHIL 330- Political Philosophy

PHIL 335- Law and Society

PHIL 380-Philosophy of Law

PHIL 450- Ethics

 

9 units. These courses can be philosophy courses or any courses from other departments connected to the study of law. Qualifying non-philosophy courses are listed below.

  • AFRS 375: Law and the Black Community
  • AIS 205- American Indians and U.S Laws
  • AIS 330- American Indian Law
  • ANTH 343- Women and Work 
  • BECA 324- Law and Regulation of Electronic Media 
  • C J 435- Race, Crime and Justice
  • C J 501- Criminal Law
  • EDAD 763- Law and Education
  • GPA 375- Peace, Law and Human Rights in the U.S 
  • I R 330- World Law (4 units)
  • I R 332- International Criminal Law(4 units)
  • JOUR 307- News Media Law
  • JS 381- The Holocaust and the Law
  • LABR 650- Labor Law
  • PLSI 308- Research and Writing for Public Law (4 units) 
  • PLSI 422- Law and Courts in Comparative Perspective(4 units)
  • PLSI 470- The Politics of Sex and Reproduction (4 units)
  • PLSI 478- Judicial Process(4 units)
  • PLSI 552- Individual Rights and the Constitution (4 units)
  • PLSI 553- Legal Issues (4 units)
  • PLSI 561- Jurisprudence (4 units)
  • RRS 250- Race, Ethnicity and Power in America 
  • SOC 457- Sociology of Law(4 units)
  • USP 513 - Politics, Law and the Urban Environment (4 units)
  • SXS 455- Sex, Power and Politics
  • WGS 534 /SXS 345 - Gender and the Law
  • WGS 563- Gender, Sexuality and the Politics of Disability

Related Content

Faculty Advising:

Carlos Montemayor

 

Resources for Pre-Law students

  • PHIL 335 – Law & Society

  • PHIL 375 – Peace Law & Human Rights in the U.S.

  • PHIL 378 – Philosophy of Criminal Law

  • PHIL 380 – Philosophy of Law

  • PHIL 455 – Sex & Law