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Legal Studies (Minor)

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Law is fundamental to all aspects of contemporary society. This minor provides an interdisciplinary framework to investigate the cultural influences, ethical foundations, scientific advancements, and the governmental administration of law, along with the interplay between law and business.

Degrees & Offerings
  • Minor
Location
  • Bloomsburg
  • Lock Haven
  • Mansfield
Department
College
Program Contact
Professor, and Director of Diehl Center for Law School Preparation
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Legal Studies Minor

The courses in the minor enable students to understand the law and its myriad applications in the United States and around the world. It enhances the ability of graduates to think critically, resolve conflicts, understand the regulatory system, and participate in public policy decision-making.

Courses and Curriculum

Legal Studies Minor Requirements

  • 21 credits required for minor completion
  • Students should meet with their academic advisor each semester and use Degree Works to monitor their individual progress toward completion of the minor.

Minor Requirements

  • Courses for which Law 331 Law and the Legal Environment is a prerequisite marked with an *. Course prerequisites are noted in parenthesis.
  • Courses that have an ONLINE OPTION are noted.
  • Courses that count for General Education Points [GEP] are noted.

Law and Society

  • CRIMJUST 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice [GEP 6 -3pts.]
  • ENGL 152 Literature and Society - If focused on legal or justice issues, such as legal history or literature of crime, with approval of the program coordinator in consultation with the course instructor. [GEP 1 -1pt., GEP 7 -2pts.]
  • LAW 120 Personal Legal Decisions ONLINE OPTION [GEP 1 -1pt., GEP 6 -1pt., GEP 10 -1pt.]
  • PHIL 110 Critical Thinking [GEP 3 -3pts.]
  • PHIL 292 Contemporary Moral Problems [GEP 4 -3pts.]
  • PHIL 290 Medical Ethics [GEP 4 -3pts.]
  • PHIL 295 Business Ethics [GEP 4 -3pts.]
  • PSYC 254 Psychological Aspects of Social Issues (PSYCH 101)
  • COMMSTUD 321 Argument and Analysis (COMMSTUD.103 or by permission of instructor)
  • COMMSTUD 313 Conflict Management and Resolution (COMMSTUD.104 or by permission of instructor)
  • LAW 340 Law and Literature (30 credit hours) [GEP 7-1pt., GEP 10 -2pts.]
  • CRIMJUST 410 Criminal Law (18 credits in criminal justice or permission of the instructor)
  • PHIL 405 Philosophy of Law
  • PHIL 407 Contemporary Political Philosophy

Law and Government

  • POLISCI 120 U.S. Government [GEP 4-1pt., GEP 10 -2pts.]
  • POLISCI 336 Public Adm. Theory
  • POLISCI 446 Constitutional Law I (60 credits)
  • POLISCI 447 Constitutional Law II (60 credits)
  • POLISCI 448 The Judicial Process
  • POLISCI 487 International Law and Organization (60 credits)

Law and Business

  • ECON 315 – Business and Government (ECON.121 and ECON.122)
  • ECON 329 Environmental Economics (ECON.121 and ECON.122)
  • LAW 332 Business and Commercial Law* ONLINE OPTION
  • LAW 336 Legal Aspects of Fraud Examination*
  • LAW 350 Environmental Law & Policy*
  • LAW 460 Employment and Discrimination Law*
  • LAW 407 International Legal Environment*
  • LAW 475 Negotiation & ADR*
  • MASSCOMM 310 Media Law and Ethics (MCOM.230.)

Law and Science

  • CHEM 105 – Introduction to Forensic Science [GEP 5-3pts.]
  • EGGS 105 Environmental Issues and Choices [GEP 2-1pt., GEP 5 -2pts.]
  • MATH 115 Cryptology (MATH 111 or MATH 250)
  • EGGS 250 Elements of Planning
  • EGGS 301 Water Resources Management
  • EGGS 302 Land Resources Management (EGGS 250 or consent of the instructor)
  • EGGS 386 U.S. Public Lands Management (EGGS.105 or junior/senior standing and consent of the instructor)
Students completing this program should be able to:
  1. Identify sources of American law and basic principles of key substantive areas such as tort, contract, criminal, constitutional, and property law.
  2. Identify relationships between Law and Society, Law and Government, Law and Business, and Law and Science.
Rendering of Diehl Center for Law School Preparation

Diehl Center for Law School Preparation

Considering Law School? Start Here. The Diehl Center for Law School Preparation at Commonwealth University is your go-to resource for exploring legal careers and preparing for law school—no matter your major. Whether you’re curious about becoming a lawyer, working in public policy, or pursuing a legal-adjacent career, the Diehl Center offers:

• Guidance on law school admissions and timelines
• Insights into the law school experience 
• Support for exploring diverse legal career paths 
• Resources for students from any academic background 
• LSAT tutoring and individual advising 

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Walking across the graduation stage at Commonwealth University-Mansfield this spring won’t conclude Riley Kleinfelter’s college career, though the star field hockey defender did say goodbye to the playing field in November. Next up for the political science graduate — law school. A step Kleinfelter says she’s fully prepared and confident for because of Mansfield’s pre-law program and her recent internship with Loomis & Koernig Law Firm in Mansfield.

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The barriers included struggling academically. “In high school, I was not the best student. Bloomsburg University (now part of Commonwealth University) was one of the few schools that offered me a chance,” says Gbaye, a ’16 political science graduate. Gbaye has made the most of those chances offered to him, and last week, he began law school at Harvard University. His transformation into a law school student got a strong start from his experience at Bloomsburg.

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