Law, Society, and Advocacy Minor

Modern western law is conceived as a social instrument which aims to maximize the freedom and legal equality of those subject to it. This substantive, modern conception of law carries certain implications for how law should be practiced. Are legal advocates obliged to simply zealously assert a client’s position, as in more proceduralist conceptions of law, or should this advocacy be potentially tempered by a commitment to law’s more substantive goals, including the promotion of freedom and legal equality? Through immersive activities such as Mock Trial, Moot Court, and internships, students are encouraged to explore how these abstract considerations manifest in the everyday practice of law. As such, the minor works at the intersection of the theoretical and the practical.

The Law, Society, and Advocacy minor focuses on the social and institutional context in which the body of statutes that constitutes the law acquires significance. The minor also recognizes that to best understand the institutional context of law, one must master the advocacy techniques and procedures that scaffold legal discourse. Both of these dimensions of the LWSA minor are reflected in its Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):

1. Understanding Legal Foundations and Social Impact Develop a foundational understanding of key legal principles, statutes, and case law while analyzing how these laws shape—and are shaped by—societal norms, values, and institutions.
2. Analyzing the Role of Advocacy in Legal Systems Examine the function and importance of advocacy within the legal system, exploring how various advocacy techniques impact legal discourse, influence policy, and drive social change. 3. Critical Thinking and Ethical Analysis Cultivate critical thinking and ethical reasoning skills, enabling students to evaluate the broader implications of laws and legal decisions in diverse social and cultural contexts, with an emphasis on responsible advocacy and social responsibility.
3. Practical Advocacy Skills Develop essential skills in advocacy, including legal writing, legal research, public speaking, negotiation, and/or argumentation, to prepare for effective engagement in legal and civic discourse.

 Law, Society, and Advocacy Minor Requirements:
Core = 4.5 units, Collateral = 0 units, Total = 4.5 units

Kurlander, Eric
William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of History, 2001
Director, Jewish Studies Program