Law and Society Minor

This interdisciplinary program focuses on the effect of law on society as well as the ways in which social forces influence the legal system. The idea is that students will understand the law if they look beyond “law on the books” to “law in action.” Thus, it is important to study key legal institutions such as the legal profession, the judiciary, juries, the police, legislatures and administrative agencies. In addition, the minor introduces students to legal policies like plea bargaining and the death penalty, and the constitutional principles that underlie political debates about them, e.g., equal protection, due process and privacy.

The requirements for the minor include seven courses (28 units), including at least four upper-division courses (16 units). All students are required to take POSC 130 Law, Politics, and Public Policy .