Law and Legal Studies Major

Law and Legal Studies Major

Law & Legal Studies

Major

The Law and Legal Studies major provides cadets with a basis for understanding both discrete legal disciplines within the U.S. legal system and the relationships of these disciplines with each other in creating a just and effective rule of law society.

Offered by the Department of Law and Philosophy

The Department of Law and Philosophy welcomes cadets who are interested in undergraduate legal studies. Law and its effects on society have long been a valuable subject of undergraduate study. Writers from Aristotle to Oliver Wendell Holmes have addressed the nature of law and its impacts upon the peoples and cultures of the world. This is, of course, of particular importance in our country which is based in significant part on the principle of adherence to the Rule of Law.

Law is the study of the means of maintaining social order, balancing individual interests against the interest of society, resolving disputes, and addressing social concerns. The study of law sharpens analytical and problem-solving abilities while developing an appreciation of law as a basic foundation of society. A law and legal studies major will equip cadets with the means to understand conflicting issues, to analyze problems, and then to choose the most appropriate solution. The law and legal studies major is not intended to train lawyers. Rather, it will prepare cadets for success in command or in any other position in which effective analytical, problem solving, and communications skills are essential. From this understanding cadets can expand their breadth of experience and gain insight into current social problems or future challenges. The major promotes the development of critical thinking through the use of legal analysis applied across different areas of the law, and sharpens cadets' ability to integrate and evaluate higher levels of theoretical thinking. 

The major in Law and Legal Studies provides cadets with a basis for understanding both discrete legal disciplines within the U.S. legal system and the relationships of these disciplines with each other in creating a just and effective rule of law society. This major promotes the development of critical thinking through the use of legal analysis applied across different areas of the law, and sharpens cadets' ability to integrate and evaluate higher levels of theoretical thinking.

The major does not seek to provide cadets with a body of legal knowledge or to train them to be lawyers – this is not a pre-law program. Rather, the Department of Law's law and legal studies program is designed to educate cadets to be leaders in a changing and often ambiguous world.

This major offers an honors track. 

STEM Depth - choose 1 of 2:

  • CY305 Military IT Systems
  • CY355 Advanced Military IT Systems

Required Courses - must take all 3

  • LW310 Intro to Legal Studies
  • LW474 Law of War
  • LW495 Jurisprudence and Legal Theory

Elective Courses - choose 7 out of 12:

  • LW410 Comparative Legal Systems
  • LW461 Civil Rights
  • LW462 Cyber Law
  • LW472 Criminal Law
  • LW473 Environmental Law
  • LW475 Advanced Constitutional Law Seminar
  • LW477 Military Justice
  • LW481 International Law
  • LW482 National Security Law
  • LW488 Business Law
  • LW490 Special Topics

Three electives in Social Sciences, History, Behavioral Sciences & Leadership or Geography & Environmental Engineering.

 

Honors Thesis Program:

  • LW498 Thesis I: Proposal & Research
  • LW499 Thesis II: Paper & Defense

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 le

To learn more, view the full Law and Legal Studies Major Curriculum.

Law and Legal Studies majors have the opportunity to apply to gain practical experience while working closely with recognized experts during Majors can apply to participate in summer Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) programs, USMA-run academic enrichment experiences, programs and staff rides. Majors also get exposed to top legal minds as part of the Ron A. Salvatore Lecture Series and can hone their skills as part of the Mock Trial Club.

Honor Societies

To learn more about enrichment for this area of study, visit the Department of Law and Philosophy, the West Point Center for the Rule of Law and the Lieber Institute for Law and Warfare.