Pre-Law, Minor
Program Description
This minor is intended for those students who are considering a career in law and want to obtain foundational skills for success in law school, legal study, and legal practice. The minor consists of 18 hours, 12 of which must be upper-division. The courses are designed to meet the core skills and values laid out by the American Bar Association, which include the ability to write, research, read critically, analyze, communicate, and value serving others by promoting justice. The minor will also enable students to obtain the general knowledge expected of law school applicants.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses (3 hours) | ||
| All pre-law minors must take PHIL 2306. This course teaches analysis and problem solving. | ||
| PHIL 2306 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| Elective Courses (15 hours) | ||
| Students in the pre-law minor must take five courses (15 hours) from the additional categories. It is recommended they consult with the pre-law advisor to address areas that might not be emphasized in their major. | 15 | |
Writing | ||
Analytical and Problem Solving | ||
Critical Reading and General Knowledge | ||
Oral Communication and Listening | ||
Research | ||
Value of Serving Others | ||
Legal Topics | ||
| Writing | ||
| Introduction to Literary Studies | ||
| Technical and Professional Writing | ||
| Analytical and Problem Solving | ||
| Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking | ||
| Critical Reading and General Knowledge | ||
| Western Civilization I | ||
| Western Civilization II | ||
| Mexican American History | ||
| Introduction to Mexican American Studies | ||
| Social and Political Philosophy | ||
| Contemporary Political Analysis | ||
| Comparative Politics | ||
| Civil Rights & Liberties | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| Power, Privilege, and Poverty | ||
| Introduction to Women and Gender Studies | ||
| Oral Communication and Listening | ||
| Small Group Communication | ||
| Presentational Communication | ||
| Persuasion | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Research | ||
| Research Methods in Criminal Justice | ||
| Topics in Sociology 1 | ||
| Social Research Methods | ||
Capstone: Research based capstone in your major 1 | ||
| Value of Serving Others | ||
| Applied Experience | ||
| Grants and Proposals | ||
Service Learning - Upper-division course with a service learning component 2 | ||
| Legal Topics | ||
| Legal Environment of Business | ||
| Court Systems and Processes | ||
| Constitutional Law | ||
| Law and Evidence | ||
| Environmental Regulations | ||
| Legal Aspects of Spatial Information | ||
| Health Law | ||
| First Amendment and Ethical Issues in the Media | ||
| Philosophy of Law | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- 1
This must be approved by your faculty mentor and prelaw advisor.
- 2
Must be approved by faculty or minor advisor.
Courses
Business Law Courses
An introduction to the legal systems of government, business and society. Includes coverage of ethics, the judicial process, basics of contracts law, constitutional issues, business torts and crimes, creditor/debtor relationships, business organizations, international law, environmental law, and various aspects of regulation of business.
Prerequisite: BUSI 0011.
A study of the laws that influence each individual in the conduct of personal life and business affairs. Includes such topics as the court and legal system, family law, torts, property law, insurance, wills and trusts, contracts, and other areas of current interest.
Designed as a second course in business law for students who desire a more in-depth knowledge. Individuals planning to take professional certification exams that contain a business law component are encouraged to enroll in this course.
Prerequisite: (BLAW 3310).
This course will cover ethical theory, ethical reasoning, integrity, objectivity, independence and other core values and regulatory requirements associated with the practice of professional accounting and decision making of other executives, with an emphasis on corporate governance in the post-Sarbanes-Oxley regulatory environment. This course satisfies the ethics requirement of the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA); however, it does not count for advanced accounting hours required to sit for the CPA exam. Students who receive credit for BLAW 4345 cannot also receive credit for BLAW 5345. Junior Standing or above.
A study of the laws relating to human resource management in today's business environment. Covers discrimination, labor law, retirement regulations, safety issues and employee/management topics. Emphasis on current issues, cases and legislation. May be used as a management major elective or business elective.
Selected topics for special study related to laws impacting business, organizations and human resources. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.
Individual supervised study and a final report.
Criminal Justice Courses
History and philosophy of criminal justice. Overview of criminal justice system: police, prosecution and defense, courts, trial process, and corrections as they affect the individual, as well as their impact on society. The definition, nature, and impact of crime. The functions of criminal justice agencies will be examined in relation to common analytical themes such as ethics and discretion.
Examination of the civil and criminal legal systems and the roles played by political, social and economic factors in the administration of justice. Consideration of the roles and interests of litigants, defendants, police, attorneys, and the judiciary in the process.
The course will introduce students to the study of criminal law. Major topics include the sources of criminal law, the operation of the criminal courts, constitutional limitations on criminal law, the elements of criminal liability, and the classification of and punishments for different types of criminal offenses. Defenses to criminal liability will also be explored.
This course is a survey of institutional and non-institutional corrections. Emphasis will be placed on the organization and operation of correctional systems; treatment and rehabilitation; populations served; Constitutional issues; and current and future issues.
Critical examination of investigation methods and comparison of these to research methods. Advanced examination of investigative procedures, theory, supervision, and evaluative research. Some practical applications.
The history and development of police in America. Topics examined include: the police profession, organization of law enforcement systems, the policing role, police discretion, ethics, police-community interaction, current and future issues, and research findings.
Analysis of contemporary developments, controversies and management concerns in the field of policing. Includes examinations of theoretical foundations of law enforcement policy.
THE JUDICIAL PROCESS Examination of the civil and criminal legal systems and the roles played by political, social and economic factors in the administration of justice. Consideration of the roles and interests of litigants, defendants, police, attorneys, and the judiciary in the process.
The administration of the juvenile justice process. Historical and philosophical origins of the juvenile justice system. A systematic analysis of problems and procedures at each stage of the process.
Examination of the history and evolution of police practices intended to manage and control crime such as community policing, broken windows policing, problem-oriented policing, hot-spot policing, third-party policing, CompStat, and evidence-based policing. Includes evaluation of contemporary research and its application to policing and law enforcement.
Analysis of contemporary developments, controversies and management concerns in the field of corrections. Includes examination of theoretical foundations of correctional policy.
Examination of the correctional strategies and facilities available in community settings including diversion programs, probation, parole, half-way houses, boot camps, and restitution centers.
Comparison of the police in selected countries with the U.S. criminal justice system. Particular emphasis on social, political, and economic factors in the development and change in law enforcement.
An examination of political violence from criminological, legal, and political perspectives. Application to contemporary events is emphasized. The sociology, psychology, and organization of foreign and domestic terrorist groups are also explored as well as counter-terrorism strategies, methods, and dilemmas.
This course will provide students with an overview of gangs and organized crime. Topics will include gang organizational traits, traditions, criminal activities, violence, origin, and structure. Students will examine national, global, and transnational organized crime networks. An exploration in the connectedness between organized crime, gangs, and terror organizations will be conducted.
An examination of the history and prohibition of drug use in the United States including an overview of drugs, drug-taking behavior, and the social problems associated with drug abuse. In depth analysis of the range of social and legal responses to the use and distribution of drugs including decriminalization, legalization, drug enforcement policy, incarceration, and treatment.
This course analyzes the nature, etiology, and theories related to sex offenses and sex offenders. It explores the history and current practices employed by the criminal justice systems to deal with sex offending. The course also examines multiple types of sexual offenses, perpetrators and victims, as well as the legal consequences of sexual offenses and its sociolcultural ramifications to grasp the complexity of these crimes.
This course will cover the portrayal of crime, criminals, the criminal justice system, and criminal justice practitioners in the media. Specifically, the course will address the goals of the media and how those affect their coverage of crime and the CJ system.
This course will teach students the step-by-step process for using statistical techniques that are most applicable in the field of criminal justice. It will teach them when, where, and why each statistical analysis is necessary and/or useful, and it will help students learn those skills by applying them to an actual project.
is the scientific study of crime victims and focuses on the physical, emotional, and financial harm victims suffer due to crime. The purpose of this course is to examine victim-offender relationships, the interactions between victims and the criminal justice system, and the connections between victims and other institutions (such as the media, advocacy groups, and government). In exploring these connections, students will address the theory, research, legislation, and policy implications related to victimization.
A case study of American constitutional law based on the leading decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. Examination of the evolution of judicial review and the development of due process and the protection of individual rights.
A detailed examination of the use, admissibility, and presentation of evidence. Issues and problems dealing with the rules of evidence and the theories on which those rules are based.
A detailed examination of the legal constraints on investigation and prosecution of criminal offenses. Analysis of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and of Search and Seizure Law under the Fourth Amendment, as well as other due process issues arising under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments.
Theories of rehabilitation, treatment, and correction of criminal offenders. Includes analysis of the historical development of the rehabilitative ideal and contemporary controversies surrounding it, and a survey of therapeutic models and methods.
Analysis of the history, philosophy, and function of prisons. Examination of control and treatment of offenders in institutional settings. Focus is upon current developments, controversies and management problems.
A study of selected literary classics that treat of crime and punishment. The works of literary artists from various cultures which describe experience with crime and the criminal justice system will be placed in historical and theoretical perspective.
An historical and ideological analysis of the role of women in the criminal justice system as offenders, reformers, and professionals.
This course is an investigation into the impact of social diversity (race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and more) on crime and the criminal justice system. Students will examine the impact of these factors on both offenders and criminal justice system employees, and will discuss and critically examine historical trends, contemporary events, and criminal justice system policies and laws.
This course examines various aspects of human behavior from a criminal justice perspective and is designed to give students a basic understanding of criminal behavior and psychological disorders which are encountered by criminal justice professionals.
This course is designed to help students gain a working understanding of the research process with direct application to criminal justice research. Attention will focus on various aspects of the research process including quantitative and qualitative methods. Students will complete literature reviews, create research proposals, conduct observations/interviews, and construct surveys in addition to various assignments and activities.
Prerequisite: CRIJ 1301 or 1313.
Study of contemporary theories of management and supervision as they relate to law enforcement. Management concerns considered include planning, motivation, organizational communication, discipline, productivity, ethics, conflict, and job stress.
Violence involving acquaintance, spouse, child, and elder abuse is examined within a theoretical construct relating violence to social responses. Alternative causal theories, prevention, counseling, administration, innovative programs, and inter-agency coordination are addressed.
Critical examination of widespread forms of offending and offenders typically omitted from traditional criminology and criminal justice courses. Critical exploration of white collar, corporate, environmental and governmental crimes/criminals.
May be repeated for credit when topics vary.
See College description.
See College description.