Requirements for the Pre-law Concentration in Philosophy

Ten courses (30 credits) including

Logic (PHIL 151)

Ancient Greek Philosophy (PHIL 201)

Early Modern Philosophy (PHIL 202)

Philosophy of Law I (PHIL 320)

Philosophy of Law II (PHIL 325)

One additional history of philosophy course from Medieval Philosophy (PHIL 301), Hume and Kant (PHIL 302), or Hegel, Marx and Nietzsche (PHIL 303)

One course from the Ethics set (PHIL 225,330, 335)

One course from the Continental Philosophy set (PHIL 342, 343, 405, 450)

One course from the non-Western set (PHIL 283, 284, 286, 287, 440)

Research in Philosophy (PHIL 485)

Successful completion of LATN 202 (Intermediate Latin) or an upper-level LATN language course.

While a college student planning to pursue law can major in any discipline, philosophy is among the more common choices, and many of our philosophy majors have continued successfully in law school. Law schools want students to come in with a background in logic, reasoning, and problem-solving. For the student who enjoys thinking and rational argument, and who is eager to pursue a challenging course of study, the pre-law philosophy major is a good option.

Courses required specifically for the pre-law concentration in philosophy

Latin: Latin has an important place in legal history and terminology; some background in Latin is advantageous to the student of law. Learning a classical language fosters analytical skills, writing skills, and attention to detail. It also contributes to self-awareness: one can realistically tell beginning students that if they cannot succeed in, or if they strongly dislike, the study of Latin, there is little chance that in the long run they will want to pursue law.

Logic: Phil 151, Introductory Logic is required, and Phil 306, Advanced Logic strongly recommended. Before and above anything else, law school admissions committees look to LSAT scores, and there is no better preparation for that test than a good background in basic logic. The study of logic is widely applicable to all types of problem-solving, and, as taught in the department, makes extensive use of computer technology.

Philosophy of Law: Phil 320 and 325 provide an overview of the major theories of law, as well as addressing specific areas of study within legal theory, such as punishment, rights, equality, causality, liberty, etc.