Interested in the legal studies (pre-law) minor at Mount Union? Learn more about the required classes you will be taking by reading the course descriptions and course catalogue.
Learning Objectives
Legal issues have a profound impact on the lives of all citizens. Laws determine such issues as whether the police can randomly stop and search automobiles, what constitutes sexual harassment in the workplace, whether schools can require students to take mandatory drug tests, and what type of speech and expression can be censored. At a time when laws are increasingly important in their scope and reach, it is essential for students to understand the operation of our legal system, the sources of our laws, and how to interpret and apply legal concepts.
This interdisciplinary program is designed for all students who wish to gain an appreciation of our complex legal system. More specifically, the legal studies program provides students with the skills essential for success in law school. The program teaches students to critically analyze statutes and case law and to effectively communicate their analyses, both orally and in writing. The legal studies program also easily complements any major.
The legal studies program is co-administered by the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice and the Department of Political Science and International Studies.
Upon completion of the legal studies program, students will be able to:
- understand the structure and function of the court system at both the state and federal levels
- know and differentiate the terminology and purposes of the criminal and civil justice systems
- utilize a variety of argumentation skills and techniques
- analyze and synthesize relevant case law using the Socratic (law school) method
- understand the expectations and challenges of law school
Experiential Learning
Students who coose to minor in legal studies at the University of Mount Union have ample opportunities to get "real-world" experience outside of the classroom. Getting involved in student organizations and extracurricular opportunities will help prepare you for a successful career in government.
HANDS-ON LEARNING
Hands-on learning opportunities will give you many chances to put classroom knowledge to work as a legal studies minor at Mount Union. These opportunities, which supplement classroom learning, include:
- Field experiences such as shadowing a public defender, visiting a courtroom, touring a prison facility, and riding along with a police officer on patrol
- Mock trials
- Study abroad experience
- Service-learning opportunities
- Independent research
- Research with faculty or student peers
- Research-based courses
INTERNSHIPS
Internships provide you with the opportunity to gain practical experience in the real world. Mount Union students have interned at all levels of the government as well as with organizations and companies that deal directly or indirectly with the government. These organizations/individuals include:
- Government agencies
- Local attorneys and judges
- Interest groups
- The Washington Center Program (assignments in the Washington, D.C. area)
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
- College Republicans is a student-led organization on Mount Union's campus
- College Democrats is a student-led organization on Mount Union's campus
- Model United Nations (MUN) is a student-led organization on Mount Union's campus, which aims to promote a better understanding of the United Nations and provide an active simulation of the United Nations. A primary goal of the organization is to have students actively participate in Model United Nations conferences and tournaments.
Careers
At a time when laws are increasingly important in their scope and reach, it is essential for students to understand the operation of our legal system, the sources of our laws and how to interpret and apply legal concepts in order to become responsible citizens upon graduating.
Legal issues have a profound impact on the lives of all citizens. Laws determine such issues as whether the police can randomly stop and search automobiles, what constitutes sexual harassment in the workplace, whether schools can require students to take mandatory drug tests and what type of speech and expression can be censored.
If you aspire to gain an appreciation of this complex system, our legal studies program will prepare you with the skills essential for law school and a rewarding legal career. Through this program, which complements any major, you’ll learn to critically analyze statutes and case law and to effectively communicate their analyses both orally and in writing. This intense program, designed for the serious and motivated student, will provide you with a head start for law school and future success in the field of law.
