Legal Studies

Why Choose Legal Studies?

The Legal Studies minor at Elmira College seeks to instill you with creative and critical thinking skills as applied to a wide range of legal topics. This wide array of course offerings is to prepare you for your first two years of law school or to enter the field as a para-practitioner immediately. To this end, from day one, you'll be pushed via the Socratic method to engage with the materials on a deeper level, sharpen your mind, and shape your character. In addition, when it comes time to take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), you can take the exam on Elmira's campus.

What Legal Studies Will Teach You

Legal Study is a discipline that explores the theory and practical application of its many sub-disciplines. Core classes include a survey of American law, criminal law, criminal procedure, constitutional law, business law, evidence, legal research, and writing. In addition, you can tailor your experience through numerous elective options – including participation in a mock trial.

Where Legal Studies Can Take You

Students in Legal Studies primarily attend law school or enter the legal profession. Therefore, students often major in Criminal Justice and Political Science. The Legal Studies program has a track record of successfully placing students in law schools.

Discuss the development and structures of American law, including the role of each branch of government in shaping the direction.

Identify and intelligently discuss basic legal and policy concepts concerning the United States Constitution.

Analyze Supreme Court opinions

Apply a wide variety of laws to real-life situations and hypotheticals

Identify philosophical disagreements underlying the interpretation and implementation of the law

Critically analyze social and policy issues concerning the application of law in modern courts

Synthesize complex law and policy issues involving various legal issues

Become familiar with the rigors of the first-year experience in a law school environment, including the Socratic Method

Formulate, present, and critique persuasive legal arguments

Critically analyze the various procedural and evidentiary rules in place to achieve the American justice system's goal of fundamental fairness

Describe how the rules of the court govern the application of the law to factual scenarios

Be able to write complex arguments like a seasoned lawyer