Criminal Justice and Law

The courses in this program are small (generally ranging in size from 10 to 12 in a seminar or 20 to 30 in a 2000-level course). This small size facilitates in-class discussion and permits the students ample opportunity to work closely with the professors, all of whom are distinguished scholars or practitioners of law. 

Students learn to read difficult legal material, including cases and statutes, as well as works from the disciplines of history, philosophy, and a variety of other fields. Students also learn to write legal briefs, analyze complex arguments, and write effective and persuasive essays. There are in-class oral arguments and mock trial exercises which give the students a chance to simulate the roles of judges, jurors, witnesses, and attorneys in the daily practice of criminal law. The program provides a superb preparation for graduate work in criminal justice or law school and for participation in any law-enforcement related career. The writing and oral communication skills developed can also be of use to graduating students in a variety of fields, from government to business and beyond. Students in the program also have the opportunity to do an internship in a field related to criminal justice.