Law and Public Policy Minor

Required Course

Examine the American political process and consider the nature and character of Americans and their democracy. Because governing institutions and practices are complex and most Americans have a difficult time navigating and participating in them; this course examines parties, elections, voting, the presidency, Congress and the courts through readings, films, lectures, and discussions, in an effort to empower students to engage in civic life.

Elective Course

Study the prohibitive conduct and necessary intent of the most commonly charged criminal statutes. Utilize case law to interpret the elements of these criminal statutes and demonstrating the analytical framework necessary to prove the criminal charges. From a procedural standpoint, the course examines the general rules of law pertaining to: prohibitive/permitted search and seizure, the exclusionary rule, probable cause, right to counsel, and the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine.

Required Course

Explore the inherently political public policies in the United States, which are defined through political processes: designed by elected and non-elected individuals, implemented in the context of American political institutions and they in turn shape the character of political and public life in the United States. This course involves the examination and evaluation of various approaches to policy analysis, the consideration of various actors in shaping and implementing public policy, and the investigation of specific case-study policies, such as environmental policy, public health policy, immigration policy, gun control policy, and policies that promote mass incarceration in the U.S.