The legal studies minor provides the opportunity to develop a greater understanding of law and legal institutions. The program is broadly humanistic, giving students a general knowledge of the institutional, philosophical, and historical character of the legal system. Course work in the program is designed to help students understand and use written and spoken language, to foster a critical understanding of the human institutions and values with which the law deals, and to stimulate creative thinking.
The minor requires 18 hours, which must be approved by the coordinator. No more than nine hours may be chosen from any one discipline. The student’s individual needs and interests are important considerations in the course selection process. This minor may also be chosen as one of the concentrations in the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies curriculum. Before beginning the program, students should get a list of approved courses for the minor by contacting the coordinator.
For more information contact the coordinator, Dr. Joseph Giammo at 501-916-3331 or jdgiammo@ualr.edu.
Courses in Legal Studies Descriptions
Criminal Justice 3301, Criminal Evidence
An analysis of the legal problems associated with the investigation of crime; the acquisition, preservation, presentation of evidence; principles of proof in criminal proceedings.
Criminal Justice 3302, Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement
A study of the leading constitutional cases in the area of criminal justice with particular emphasis on cases dealing with search and seizure, the privilege against self-incrimination, assistance of counsel, and fair trial guarantees.
Criminal Justice 3307, Criminal Law
An analysis of criminal acts, elements of specific crimes, and defenses permitted in the United States legal system.
Criminal Justice 3312, Victimology
A review of the distribution and causes of crime from the point of view of the victim, as well as detailing the interface between victims and the legal and social service communities.
Criminal Justice 3396, Psychology & the Criminal Process
An exploration of the contributions of psychology to the practice of law, law enforcement, and other related areas, illustrated in terms of testimony and court procedures, psychopathology, correctional services, the development of laws, and social psychology.
Criminal Justice/Political Science 4301, Judicial System and Process
A survey of state, local, and federal judicial systems and their interrelationships. Examines judicial structures, functions, and decision-making procedures. Dual listed in the Graduate Catalog as CRJU 5301.
Criminal Justice/Political Science 4302, Law and Society
An examination of the origins and history of law in society, including the evolving roles of judges, juries, defense attorneys, and prosecutors. Examines the evolution of civil and criminal law, the adversary system, and the concept of justice. Dual listed in the Graduate Catalog as CRJU 5302.
Criminal Justice 4305, Juvenile Law and Process
An exploration of the philosophical basis, process, legal rights of juveniles, and roles of the major participants in the juvenile justice system.
History 4363, Law in American History
The development of legal institutions in America from their English origins to the present. The rule of law, legal thought and the legal profession, the independent judiciary, civil rights, and the law’s role in economic development.
Management 4391, Employment Law
An examination of legal problems involving employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or age. Examines the impact of developing principles of employment law on pre-employment inquiries and testing, seniority and promotions, and other personnel policies, practices, and procedures; affirmative action requirements; state and federal law used to resolve employment discrimination claims; the procedural framework for raising and adjudicating such claims before administrative agencies and the courts; requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act, Equal Pay Act, ERISA, Worker’s Compensation, and OSHA; and current issues such as sexual harassment and employee dismissal.
Marketing 2380, Legal Environment of Business
Introduction to the American legal system. Course provides a background of the legal environment as it pertains to profit and nonprofit organizations, along with ethical considerations and social and political influences as they affect such organizations.
Marketing 3381, Advanced Business Law
A comprehensive overview of business law including the law of contracts, commercial paper, bankruptcy, agency, organizations, sales, property, securities, and other topics of interest to business students and particularly to those majoring in accounting who intend to take the CPA exam. This course does not apply toward the marketing elective requirement.
Marketing 4378, Real Estate Law
An introduction to the nature of real property; ownership rights and estates; descriptions; easements, fixtures, liens, sales, land contracts; mortgage law; deeds and property transfers; cooperatives and condominiums; wills and intestate succession; zoning; and recent developments.
Mass Communication 3360, Mass Comm Law, Policy, and Ethics
This course will examine current legal, policy, and ethical issues affecting the broadcast, cable, print, and interactive media.
Mass Communication 4352, News Media and the First Amendment
The restrictions, obligations, and responsibilities of the news media; the law and its effect on publishing and broadcasting; relations between the law and freedoms protected by the U.S. Constitution. Dual listed in the Graduate Catalog as MCOM 5352.
Philosophy 1330, Introduction to Critical Thinking
An introduction to reasoning skills. Focus on the recognition of informal fallacies, the nature, use, and evaluation of arguments, and the characteristics of inductive and deductive arguments.
Philosophy 2350 Introduction to Logic
Introduction to deductive logic including translation of sentences into formal systems, immediate inferences, syllogisms, formal fallacies, proofs of validity, and quantification. Three credit hours. (ACTS Course Number PHIL I 003) (ACTS Course Number PHIL 1003)
Philosophy 3310, Theories of Knowledge
Introduction to the field of epistemology. Skeptical and realist positions will be assessed by analyzing internal and external accounts of knowledge (including coherence, foundation, naturalized, and reliabilist theories). The connection between epistemology and artificial intelligence will also be examined.
Political Science 3325, Legislative Process & Behavior
Legislative politics in the United States Congress: socialization; role of party, constituency, and legislative institutions as they affect legislative behavior and public policy.
Political Science 4350, Constitutional Law: Governmental Powers
The Supreme Court as a political institution in American democracy. Analysis of leading constitutional decisions exploring judicial review, federalism, separation of powers, regulation of commerce, due process, and equal protection. The dynamics of Supreme Court decision-making. Civil liberties; analysis of leading constitutional decisions focusing on human freedom and fundamental rights. Emphasis on religious liberty, freedom of expression, racial equality, privacy, criminal procedures, and the dynamics of Supreme Court decision making.
Political Science 4351, Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties
Civil liberties; analysis of leading constitutional decisions focusing on human freedom and fundamental rights. Emphasis on religious liberty, freedom of expression, racial equality, privacy, criminal procedures, and the dynamics of Supreme Court decision making. Cross listed as CRJU 4351.
Rhetoric 3315, Persuasive Writing
A theoretical and practical introduction to the art of written persuasion. Emphasis on persuasive techniques and their ethical consequences.
Rhetoric 3316, Writing for the Workplace
Study and practice of workplace communication required of professionals who write as part of their jobs. Emphasis on developing a sense of audience and purpose, writing in teams, and learning problem solving strategies. Intensive practice writing workplace documents such as memos, letters, email, résumés, and reports.
Rhetoric 3317, Nonfiction
Study and practice of nonfiction writing to explore, investigate, and explain ideas, experiences, and perspectives. Emphasis on style, voice, revision, and collaboration.
Rhetoric 4306, Writing for Business and Government
Theory of and practice in writing for government and business organizations. Topics will include training manuals, job descriptions, policy writing, records, and correspondence. Dual listed in the Graduate Catalog as RHET 5306.
Rhetoric 4317, The Personal Essay
This course introduces students to the study and practice of the personal essay as a genre with an emphasis on form, techniques, and research methods appropriate to shorter nonfiction.
Rhetoric 4325, Legal Writing, Reasoning and Argument
Designed for all majors, particularly for prelaw students and writers interested in the discourse of the law. Students will read a variety of judicial decisions on current issues such as Freedom of Speech and complete several relatively short assignments focusing on legal reasoning and argument. Students will also learn how to find information on legal decisions and issues. Dual listed in the Graduate Catalog as RHET 5325.
