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 particular 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).
B.A. in Philosophy with a Concentration in Philosophy and Law
A minimum of 32 units are required for the degree.
Required courses (8 units):
- PHIL 205 - Formal Logic
- PHIL 320 - GWAR Philosophical Analysis
- PHIL 696 - Directed Reading: Learning Outcomes
Distribution Requirements (15 units):
PHIL 303 - Modern Philosophy
PHIL 330 - Political Philosophy
PHIL 335 - Law and Society
PHIL 380 - Philosophy of Law
PHIL 450 - Ethics
Electives (9 units):
These three courses can be philosophy courses or 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
- GPS 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
B.A. in Philosophy with a Concentration in Philosophy and Law Advisors