Law and Legal Studies Major
“I … do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of The United States ….”
Opening words of the U.S. Army Officer Commissioning Oath
The Department of Law welcomes cadets who are interested in a rigorous program in undergraduate legal studies, and offers the Law and Legal Studies major for the Class of 2017.
Law has long been a proper subject of study by educated men and women in many fields and professions, not just lawyers. Writers in virtually every age and culture have addressed the nature of law and its significance to their societies. This is especially so in our own country, which is founded on the principle of the rule of law.
Our legal studies program supports the Academy’s academic goal of educating cadets to be leaders of character in a rapidly changing and often ambiguous world. The study of law requires a knowledge of history and culture, the ability to deal with complex moral and ethical issues, clear and concise communication skills, and an understanding of how individuals, organizations, and societies pursue goals. We do not seek to provide cadets with a body of legal knowledge or to train them to become lawyers: this is not a pre-law program. Rather, it is designed to educate cadets to think critically and analyze effectively complex social, technological, political, economic, and moral problems that are contained within the framework of law.
The Department is a founding member of the Consortium of Undergraduate Law and Justice Programs. Formed in 2003, the Consortium is an organization for colleges and universities that have interdisciplinary programs geared toward undergraduate education about law and justice in the United States and internationally. It seeks to help its members improve their programs to serve better the educational needs of their students. Likewise, the Department of Law continually seeks ways to enhance the educational experience of our legal studies majors so that they may be better prepared to serve as self-aware, adaptive, and highly capable leaders for the Army and the Nation.
Maritza S. Ryan
Colonel, JA
Professor and Head
Department of Law
Department of Law AIAD Opportunities
Office of General Counsel Legal Intern / Washington, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIADOJ: FBI Academy / Quantico, VIRGINIA
Congressional Intern / Washington, D.C., DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
NYPD Headquarters / New York City, NEW YORK
The War Crimes Staff Ride / Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
U.S. Supreme Court Legal Intern. / Washington, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Legal Intern at District Attorney's Offices / Across U.S., United States
Secret Service / Washington, D.C., DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The Army Chief of Staff Executive Strategy Group / Washington, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Military Paralympics / Colorado Springs, COLORADO
Department of State - Berlin office / Berlin, Germany
NSA AIAD / Fort Meade, MARYLAND
Latham & Watkins Internship / New York, NEW YORK
The Judge Advocate General's Office Intern / Washington D.C., DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Civil Rights Staff Ride / Washington D.C., DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Marsh & McLennan Corporate AIAD / New York CIty, NEW YORK
PACOM Legal Internship / Camp H.M. Smith, HAWAII
European Staff Judge Advocate Internship / Stuttgart, Germany
Special Victims Criminal Investigation Unit / Fort Worth, TEXAS
U.S. District Court Intern / New York City, NEW YORK
World Bank Internship / Washington, D.C., DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
New York City District Attorney Legal Intern / New York, NEW YORK
2017Law and Legal Studies Major
Subject Area / DescriptionIT Course / Choose 1 of 2
IT305 / THEORY & PRAC OF MIL IT SYS
IT355 / ADV THEORY OF MIL IT SYS
AND
Required Courses / Must take all4 of 4
LW310 / INTRO TO LEGAL STUDIES
LW474 / LAW OF WAR
LW495 / JURISPRUDENCE AND LEGAL THEORY
LX300 / 3RD SEMESTER FOREIGN LANG
AND
Elective / Choose 4 of 7
LW410 / COMPARATIVE LEGAL SYSTEMS
LW472 / CRIMINAL LAW
LW473 / ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
LW475 / ADV CONSTITUTIONAL LAW SEMINAR
LW481 / INTERNATIONAL LAW
LW488 / BUSINESS LAW
LW490 / SPECIAL TOPICS
Choose 2 of the following electives:
EV365 / GEOGRAPHY OF GLOBAL CULTURES
EV371 / GEOGRAPHY OF RUSSIA
EV372 / GEOGRAPHY OF ASIA
EV373 / GEOGRAPHY OF LATIN AMERICA
EV375 / GEOGRAPHY OF AFRICA
EV376 / GEOGRAPHY OF MIDDLE EAST
HI344 / MODERN DIPLOMACY
HI372 / U.S. FOREIGN RELATIONS SINCE 1898
HI391 / WORLD RELIGIONS
MG390 / NEGOTIATIONS FOR LEADERS
SS366 / COMPARATIVE POLITICS
SS381 / POLITICAL AND CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
SS385 / COMPARATIVE ECONOMIC SYSTEMS
SS386 / POLITICAL THOUGHTS AND IDEAS
SS465 / TERRORISM: NEW CHALLENGES
SS466 / ADVANCED TERRORISM STUDIES
SS473 / AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY
SS483 / NATIONAL SECURITY SEMINAR
SS486 / INTERNATIONAL SECURITY SEMINAR
XH467 / WINNING THE PEACE
LXxxx / Completion of a 4th semester of a foreign language
EP359 / LOGICAL REASONING
EP363 / POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
HI390 / EARLY NATIONAL AMERICA
HI394 / REVOLUTIONARY AMERICA
HI395 / HISTORY OF CIVIL WAR AMERICA
HI396 / MAKING OF MODERN AMERICA
HI398 / SOCIETY & CULTURE IN AMER. HIST.
PL372 / SOCIOLOGY OF THE FAMILY
PL377 / SOCIAL INEQUALITY
PL393 / CRIMINOLOGY
SS483 / NATIONAL SECURITY SEMINAR
SS373 / AMERICAN PRESIDENCY
SS379 / LEGISLATIVE POLITICS
SS386 / POLITICAL THOUGHT AND IDEAS
SS464 / HOMELAND SECURITY
SS472 / THE AMERICAN STATE & THE SOLDIER
SS480 / ADVANCED AMER. POLITICS, POLICY, STRATEGY
LXxxx / Completion of a 4th semester of a foreign language
*Cadets majoring in Law and Legal Studies who are interested in taking a fourth semester of a foreign language have the option to use one of their two electives offered outside the Department of Law on a foreign language course.
2015Law and Legal Studies Major w/ Honors Curriculum
Subject Area / DescriptionRequired Courses / Choose 2 of 2
LW498 / THESIS I: PROPOSAL & RESEARCH
LW499 / THESIS II: PAPER & DEFENSE
AND
Grade Requirements
Complete the requirements of the major as shown above attain an APSC of at least 3.0 in the core curriculum and an APSC of at least 3.5 in the major, and an average of at least 3.33 in LW498 and LW499.
LW310 COURSE DETAILS
COURSE / TITLE / Eff. Year / Eff. Term / Credit HoursLW310 / INTRO TO LEGAL STUDIES / 2004 / 1 / 3.0
SCOPE
This course provides the foundation for studying law. It begins with a study of jurisprudence and legal theory. Jurisprudence denotes the philosophy of law, an approach that considers the sources and nature of the law and legal systems and encompasses such themes as natural law and legal positivism. Legal theory looks at law and legal theory from the perspective of other disciplines, such as sociology and economics. The course will further explore the nature, function, sources and structure of the prevalent legal systems of the world. Cadets will use these skills to explore systemic methods of legal analysis and apply those methods to the interpretation of cases, statutes, regulations and constitutions. Short persuasive paper and two oral arguments.
LESSONS: 40 @ 55 min. (2.500 Att/wk) LABS: 0 @ 0 min.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Persuasive paper and oral arguments.
LW410 COURSE DETAILS
COURSE / TITLE / Eff. Year / Eff. Term / Credit HoursLW410 / COMPARATIVE LEGAL SYSTEMS / 2004 / 1 / 3.0
SCOPE
This course uses a comparative approach to study the major legal systems of the world. After a short introduction to legal tradition theory, students study the earliest legal tradition, Chthonic law, followed by Talmudic law, civil law, Islamic law, English common law , Hindu law, Chinese law The traditions studied are the foundation for the laws and legal systems of most of the world today, including the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia. Similarities and differences between these systems and the American legal system are explored. Social, political, and economic factors which distinguish these systems and more recently have begun to integrate them are covered. Emphasis is placed on the sources of law, the procedures for resolving legal disputes, and basic principles of civil and criminal justice.
LESSONS: 40 @ 55 min. (2.500 Att/wk) LABS: 0 @ 0 min.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Individual research paper and three group projects (one is a presentation).
LW472 COURSE DETAILS
COURSE / TITLE / Eff. Year / Eff. Term / Credit HoursLW472 / CRIMINAL LAW / 2006 / 1 / 3.0
SCOPE
This course will examine the legal, social, religious, cultural, and political motivations that justice systems use to characterize certain actions as “criminal.” The course will revolve around the traditional reasons for criminal law, namely blameworthiness and punishment, and also examine how institutions use criminal law to serve their narrow interests. This course will introduce theories surrounding criminal law and illustrate how cadets may apply law immediately in their roles as officers. The course will examine federal and state criminal codes and also the Uniform Code of Military Justice. From a legal perspective based on the U.S. Constitution and other criminal codes, some of the topics covered include the death penalty, insanity, corporate crime, conspiracy, murder, necessity, and self-defense.
LESSONS: 40 @ 55 min. (2.500 Att/wk) LABS: 0 @ 0 min.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: None.
LW473 COURSE DETAILS
COURSE / TITLE / Eff. Year / Eff. Term / Credit HoursLW473 / ENVIRONMENTAL LAW / 2013 / 2 / 3.0
SCOPE
Environmental law has become an integral part of the legal system in the United States today. This course provides an introduction to environmental issues and the framework of the major federal environmental statues (the National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Endangered Species Act, etc.), and how the law works in practice. The course also covers environmental issues in the military and the growing subject of International Environmental Law. This course provides a solid understanding of the legislative, administrative and judicial system of environmental law today.
LESSONS: 40 @ 55 min. (2.500 Att/wk) LABS: 0 @ 0 min.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: One or more essays, as determined by the course instructor.
LW474 COURSE DETAILS
COURSE / TITLE / Eff. Year / Eff. Term / Credit HoursLW474 / LAW OF WAR / 2011 / 1 / 3.0
SCOPE
This course is designed to develop in each student an understanding of basic law of war (LOW), with an emphasis on issues that might arise on the battlefield at a tactical level. The ethical and historical background of LOW will be examined, including Geneva Conventions and protocols, and how LOW is enforced on international and national levels, to include prosecution under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Illustrative examples will include the Nuremberg Tribunal, My Lai, and the Gulf War. The emphasis is on the LOW responsibilities of the junior officer.
LESSONS: 40 @ 55 min. (2.500 Att/wk) LABS: 0 @ 0 min.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Two research papers of moderate length (approximately five pages each) may be required. Topics will be determined in consultation with the instructor.
LW475 COURSE DETAILS
COURSE / TITLE / Eff. Year / Eff. Term / Credit HoursLW475 / ADVANCED CONSTITUTIONAL LAW SEMINAR / 1980 / 1 / 3.0
SCOPE
This seminar targets several discreet provisions of the Constitution’s Bill of Rights, such as the Free Speech clause and the right to keep and bear Arms in the civil context, and the Right of Confrontation and the Cruel and Unusual Punishment Clause in the criminal context. Cadets gain an in-depth understanding of the role of the federal courts in developing constitutional lawby examining cases in these particular subjects. The seminar format facilitates active and robust classroom discussion and debate, and stimulates critical thinking about complex issues of law and policy. The seminar includes a trip section to the Supreme Court to observe an oral argument and meet with a Supreme Court Justice. The seminar also features several guest-teaching appearances by sitting federal judges.
LESSONS: 40 @ 55 min. (2.500 Att/wk) LABS: 0 @ 0 min.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Presentations, oral arguments, and written opinions as required by the instructor.
LW481 COURSE DETAILS
COURSE / TITLE / Eff. Year / Eff. Term / Credit HoursLW481 / INTERNATIONAL LAW / 2004 / 1 / 3.0
SCOPE
The field of international law is one of the most dynamic areas of the law, and its principles are often applied in addressing the complex security problems facing our nation. The course itself is divided into four major sections: Introduction to International Law; International Human Rights Law; International Criminal Law; and International Humanitarian Law. This course will familiarize you with the doctrines which govern the rights and obligations of states and international organizations, during both times of peace and conflict. This course will integrate some themes from other courses in the Department of Law and reinforce some fundamental principles you will confront as you seek to understand the relationship between law, diplomacy, and military operations.
LESSONS: 40 @ 55 min. (2.500 Att/wk) LABS: 0 @ 0 min.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: None.
LW488 COURSE DETAILS
COURSE / TITLE / Eff. Year / Eff. Term / Credit HoursLW488 / BUSINESS LAW / 1978 / 1 / 3.0
SCOPE
This course introduces cadets to the basics of business and commercial law and prepares cadets as leaders to identify and achieve resolution of legal issues in everyday business transactions. It surveys the multi-dimensional nature of the rule of law as it governs commerce. Cadets will develop critical thinking skills by analyzing fact-based scenarios, evaluate the ethical aspects of business decisions, and assess the impact law has on political, social, environmental, and technological developments in business. This course employs both case study and problem-solving methods of instruction.
LESSONS: 40 @ 55 min. (2.500 Att/wk) LABS: 0 @ 0 min.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: None.
LW490 COURSE DETAILS
COURSE / TITLE / Eff. Year / Eff. Term / Credit HoursLW490 / SPECIAL TOPICS / 1999 / 2 / 3.0
SCOPE
An in-depth seminar course concentrating on a single area of the law. The course is conducted by the Department's Visiting Professor or a Law faculty member when the visiting professor is unavailable.
LESSONS: 40 @ 55 min. (2.500 Att/wk) LABS: 0 @ 0 min.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Potential for one or more essays, as determined by the course instructor, and dependent on the nature of the Special Topics course.
LW495 COURSE DETAILS
COURSE / TITLE / Eff. Year / Eff. Term / Credit HoursLW495 / JURISPRUDENCE AND LEGAL THEORY / 2005 / 2 / 3.0
SCOPE
This course is the capstone for the Law and Legal Studies majors at the Academy. The course is an advanced seminar in the legal philosophy as applied to contemporary domestic and international issues. The course integrates legal coursework throughout the curriculum and the Cadet’s respective legal studies major.
LESSONS: 40 @ 55 min. (2.500 Att/wk) LABS: 0 @ 0 min.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Assessment will be based on student papers, projects, WPRs, and presentations.
“A competent knowledge of the laws of one’s country is the proper accomplishment of every … scholar, and is almost an essential part of a liberal education.”
Sir William Blackstone, lecture on The Study of the Law, delivered at Oxford University, 1758
For information on the Law and Legal Studies Program contact:
LTC Walter Narramore 845-938-5818, Department Academic Counselor(DAC)
Department of Law, 4th floor, Building 606
Visit us on the web at:
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