BA(Hons) Interdisciplinary Concentration: Law, Diversity & Justice Emphasis

This interdisciplinary concentration in Law, Diversity & Justice provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the legal system and its impact on society, particularly as it relates to issues of diversity and justice. Students will examine the intersectionality of law and social justice, exploring how power dynamics shape legal frameworks and how they can be used to promote equity and inclusion. Through coursework and experiential learning opportunities, students will develop critical thinking skills and a deep understanding of the complex interplay between law, politics, and society. Graduates of this program are well-equipped to pursue careers in law, public policy, or social justice advocacy.

Additional Information

This concentration is ideal for students interested in pursuing careers in legal aid, public defender offices, or non-profit organizations focused on social justice. The program also prepares graduates for further study in related fields such as law school or public policy graduate programs.

Discover the Power of Interdisciplinary Legal Education at Western Washington University

Western Washington University is a leader in interdisciplinary legal education, with a strong commitment to experiential learning and community engagement. Our faculty are renowned scholars and practitioners in the field of law and justice, providing students with cutting-edge knowledge and real-world experience. The university's location in Bellingham, Washington also offers access to a diverse range of legal and social issues, providing students with a unique opportunity to learn from real-world cases and applications.

Interdisciplinary Concentration – the Individually Designed Major. The Fairhaven College Interdisciplinary Concentration: Law, Diversity & Justice Emphasis provides an opportunity for developing an individually designed major for the Bachelor of Arts degree. It allows maximal flexibility in formulating a program to meet personal and career goals, bringing together each student’s vital interests from more than one discipline into a cohesive whole.

The self-designed concentration process allows students to work with a faculty committee to articulate a sound rationale for their area of study and to develop a plan including courses, independent study projects, senior projects and, where applicable, internships and apprenticeships. Students are assisted in completing the concentration by faculty and other advisors and by the FAIR 303A, Concentration Seminar course. The Concentration Proposal rationale statement and accompanying Concentration course list form the plan of study for the Interdisciplinary Concentration major, after approval by the student’s Concentration Committee and filed in the Fairhaven College Records Office. As part of this plan of study, a minimum of three quarters of coursework, completing a minimum of 36 credits is required after the concentration filing quarter.

At the conclusion of the degree program, a senior project and a concentration summary and evaluation help each graduate to evaluate their own work and to look toward the future.

Concentrations have been developed in a wide range of areas not available through traditional majors. The Fairhaven College office can provide further information pertaining to the concentration, its possibilities and prospects, may be found in the Student Guide to Fairhaven College.

Why Consider an Interdisciplinary Concentration with a Law, Diversity & Justice Emphasis at Fairhaven College?

The Law, Diversity & Justice (LDJ) Concentration is designed for students with a strong interest in law, diversity and access to the legal system for under-served communities. The Law, Diversity and Justice Concentration is open to all Fairhaven students with a passion for social justice.  The concentration welcomes students who desire to effect change and who have the potential to act as leaders and role models in their communities using legal knowledge and processes. The curriculum also emphasizes a critical examination of how issues such as race, class, gender, sexual orientation and disability intersect with the legal system.

Academic Requirements for freshman students:

The admission requirements for undergraduate courses are given as follows:

• Completed application form

• Academic Transcripts(certified english translations if necessary)

• Relevant High school degree/Grade Report/Certificates

• SAT or ACT Scores (Optional)

• A cumulative GPA of 2.5

• Personal Statement or essay

• One letter of recommendation

• List of extracurricular activities(if any)

• Portfolio