Law, Societies, and Justice

Program Overview

42 Gowen

The program in Law, Societies, and Justice provides an interdisciplinary liberal arts education focusing on the unique forms of social control, institutionalized disputing, and justice that we identify with law or legality. Courses inquire into the historically embedded principles and institutional practices associated with diverse legal domains -- constitutional, criminal, administrative, and civil law as well as fundamental human rights -- in the United States and throughout much of the world. The program encourages complex assessments of the workings and implications of law in society according to standards that are both internal and external to the rule of law itself.

Undergraduate Program

Adviser
42 Gowen, Box 353530
206-543-2396
lsjadv@uw.edu

Law, Societies, and Justice offers the following programs of study:

• The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in law, societies, and justice.
• A minor in law, societies, and justice
• A minor in human rights involving courses at the three UW campuses
• A minor in disability studies

Bachelor of Arts

Suggested First- and Second-Year College Courses: Courses that emphasize development of reading, writing, and especially analytical skills. Also, classes that provide background knowledge of modern world history, politics, institutions, and political theory.

Department Admission Requirements

1. Admission is competitive, based on the following: GPA, with emphasis on grades received in courses required for admission and for completion of major requirements (applicants accepted normally present cumulative UW GPAs considerably above 2.50); personal statement representing the student's interest in and commitment to becoming a Law, Societies, and Justice major; other evidence of a commitment to the study of society, justice, and law. Admitted applicants often show evidence of success in social science courses. (See department website or academic adviser for recommended social science courses.)
2. Minimum 2.00 cumulative UW GPA.
3. Completion of one of the following courses: LSJ 320/POL S 368, LSJ 321/ANTH 323 or LSJ 322/SIS 322; LSJ 363/POL S 363 or LSJ 200; LSJ 367/POL S 367 or LSJ 366/SIS 366; LSJ 375 or SOC 372.
4. Completion of one English composition course. (Further evidence of writing skills in the social sciences is encouraged.)
5. Students may apply autumn, winter, or spring quarters. Applications for admission are due no later than the second Friday of the quarter. Students are notified of admission decisions by the sixth week of the quarter in which they apply.
6. Interested students are encouraged to apply for the LSJ major as soon as possible after meeting the prerequisites. Satisfactory progress to degree may be considered when making admission decisions.

Major Requirements

Minimum 53-55 credits as follows:

1. Completion of the four LSJ core courses: LSJ 320/POL S 368, LSJ 321/ANTH 323, or LSJ 322/SIS 322; LSJ 363/POL S 363 or LSJ 200; LSJ 367/POL S 367 or LSJ 366/SIS 366; LSJ 375 or SOC 372. (20 credits)
2. Three courses from one of the two designated subfields of study (comparative legal institutions; and rights) and two courses from the other subfield. See program website or advisers for list of approved courses. (23-25 credits)
3. One LSJ senior seminar. Senior seminar cannot count simultaneously towards the LSJ subfield requirements. (5 credits)
4. Completion of LSJ 401, which includes completion of 100 hours of volunteer experience or internship in a field related to LSJ. (5 credits)

Minor

Minor Requirements (Law, Societies, and Justice): 28-30 credits, to include:

1. Two courses from the following: LSJ 320/POL S 368, or LSJ 321/ANTH 323, or LSJ 322/SIS 322; LSJ 363/POL S 363 or LSJ 200; LSJ 367/POL S 367 or LSJ 366/SIS 366; LSJ 375 or SOC 372. (10 credits)
2. Two courses from each LSJ major subfield. (Major subfields are "comparative legal institutions" and "rights." Courses fulfilling subfield requirements are outlined on the departmental website and handouts. (18-20 credits).

Minor Requirements (Disability Studies): 30 credits

1. Core courses: DIS ST 230/LSJ 230/CHID 230; DIS ST 433/LSJ 433/CHID 433; DIS ST 434/LSJ 434/CHID 434 (15 credits).
2. Capstone course requirement: DIS ST 435 (5 credits).
3. Disability studies electives: See LSJ adviser or disability studies program website for list of allowable classes (10 credits).

Student Outcomes and Opportunities

• Learning Objectives and Expected Outcomes: The Law, Societies, and Justice curriculum emphasizes the development of a range of analytic and communicative skills. Courses challenge students to develop the capacities to: read and interpret texts, including theoretical, empirical, and legal documents; comprehend and contrast arguments; develop and defend arguments; contrast theoretical arguments with empirical realities; assess contemporary practices of justice delivery against contemporary conceptions of justice. Students are required to express these skills in both verbal and written forms, through active class discussions and well-constructed writing assignments. Development of these skills assists students in a range of possible future endeavors, including a wide array of careers in law and justice.
• Instructional and Research Facilities: Students have access to the Political Science computer lab and writing center for most classes. Research opportunities are available on an individual and group basis with many professors.
• Honors Options Available: With College Honors (Completion of Honors Core Curriculum and Departmental Honors); With Honors (Completion of Departmental Honors requirements in the major). See adviser for requirements.
• Research, Internships, and Service Learning: LSJ was the first program in the social sciences to require an internship as part of its major. The internship aims: (1) to provide students with insights into the workings of law in practice; (2) to scrutinize and 'test' some of the theories and concepts found in the literature against 'real world' practice; (3) to advance career development and goals, and (4) to provide 100 hours of local community service. Students work with a variety of governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations, including private law firms, federal law enforcement agencies, and social service organizations (see the internship listings for complete information). It is the student's responsibility to find an internship, although the LSJ adviser can help find a suitable one. Students are required to write two papers according to specific guidelines for internship course credit.

  Many LSJ faculty regularly invite majors to assist them in the development and execution of research endeavors. These provide students an unparalleled opportunity to understand the challenges and mechanics of high-level research.

• Department Scholarships: None available, although the program does provide several awards with modest cash stipends to graduating seniors.
• Student Organizations/Associations: Law, Societies, and Justice is a founding member of the National Consortium of Law and Society Programs. The program is presently reassessing the status of student associations and organizations.

Of Special Note: The required senior seminar emphasizes close reading of texts, active class discussions, and well-reasoned analytic writing, providing an opportunity to establish a close connection to faculty and other students, and to hone analytic and communicative skills.