Law and Legal Studies Major Law & Legal Studies Major 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. Breadcrumb law and legal studies major Majors-and-Minors-left MENU Explore Academic Majors and Minors Academic Majors American Politics Major Applied Statistics and Data Sciences Major Chemical Engineering Major Chemistry Major Civil Engineering Major Computer Science Major Cyber Science Major Defense and Strategic Studies Major Economics Major Electrical Engineering Major Engineering Management Major Engineering Psychology Major English Major Environmental Engineering Major Environmental Science Major Foreign Area Studies: Africa Major Foreign Area Studies: East Asia Major Foreign Area Studies: Eurasia Major Foreign Area Studies: Europe Major Foreign Area Studies: Latin America Major Foreign Area Studies: Middle East Major Foreign Language: Arabic Major Foreign Language: Chinese Major Foreign Language: French Major Foreign Language: German Major Foreign Language: Persian Major Foreign Language: Portuguese Major Foreign Language: Russian Major Foreign Language: Spanish Major Geography Major Geospatial Information Science Major History Major International Affairs Major Kinesiology Major Law and Legal Studies Major Life Science Major Management Major Mathematical Sciences Major Mechanical Engineering Major Nuclear Engineering Major Operations Research Major Philosophy Major Physics Major Sociology Major Space Science Major Systems & Decision Sciences Major Systems Engineering Major Academic Minors Aeronautical Engineering Minor America in the World Minor American Foundations Minor Applied Statistics Minor Cyber Security Minor Diversity and Inclusion Studies Minor Engineering Management Minor General History Minor Geography Minor Grand Strategy Minor Network Science Minor Nuclear Science Minor Photonics Minor Regional Studies Minor Robotics Minor Space Science Minor Systems Engineering Minor Terrorism Studies Minor War Technology and Society Minor Guidance on Choosing an Academic Major Overview Courses Enrichment 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 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. To learn more about this area of study, visit the Department of Law. Required CoursesLW310 INTRO TO LEGAL METHODLW474 LAW OF ARMED CONFLICT Sample ElectivesLW410 COMPARATIVE LEGAL SYSTEMSLW461 CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE LAW LW462 CYBER LAWLW472 CRIMINAL LAWLW473 ENVIRONMENTAL LAWLW475 ADV CONSTITUTIONAL LAW SEMLW476 ADVANCED LAW OF ARMED CONFLICTLW481 INTERNATIONAL LAWLW482 NATIONAL SECURITY LAWLW488 BUSINESS LAW LW490 SPECIAL TOPICS IN THE LAW This major offers an honors track. 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:Golden Key - International Honour SocietyPhi Kappa Phi - Oldest and Largest Collegiate Honor SocietyTo learn more about enrichment for this area of study, visit the Department of Law , the West Point Center for the Rule of Law and the Lieber Institute for Law and Warfare.