The Department of Philosophy, CSU
Long
Beach, offers a Pre-Law Emphasis to provide undergraduates who are
interested
in a career in law with a course of study which emphasizes the
development
of skills in logical reasoning and argumentation, in linguistic and
ethical
analysis, and in clear and precise communication.
Law
schools do not recommend any
particular
major for admission. The American
Bar Association (in Law as a Career) states:
An undergraduate should be
aware
that there is no particular course of study that is required or
preferred
by law schools. Accordingly, students from a wide variety of majors
(e.g.,
philosophy, physics, political science, engineering, and business) are
admitted to law schools each year. There is no true prelaw curriculum.
Generally, a broad-based education that is rigorous and that stresses
analytical
and verbal communication skills will be useful.
On the Law
School Admissions Test (LSAT), philosophy majors nationwide
consistently
achieve among the highest scores of all majors.
Because admission to law school is highly competitive, there is no easy
path to success. But good students who develop their critical skills in
comprehension and analysis of complex material through the study of
philosophy
and a strong General Education program can position themselves to
compete
with the best. The department also
offers special
courses
in philosophy of law and a pre-law internship to introduce students to
the legal world
Our
recent graduates have attended law
schools at Boalt (University of California, Berkeley), Boston
University,
Cardozo Law School, Chapman
University, College of William and Mary Law School, Harvard
University, Hastings College of Law, Loyola-Marymount University,
Pepperdine University, Southwestern University,
University of California-Davis,
University of San Diego, University
of Southern California, the University of Connecticut, the University
of
Seattle, and Whittier College.
For more information, see Philosophy
Pre-Law Alumni and Alumnae.
Other Pre-Law Programs and Courses at CSULB
As the law schools
do not recommend any particular major, students are encouraged
to
pursue a major and courses where they excel and which provide a broad
general education with excellent skills in reasoning, analysis, and
written and oral communication. Other pre-law programs and courses at
CSULB include:
Philosophy
Pre-Law Courses
The University's
entire course schedule
(including detailed information on class schedules, enrollments, and
instructors)
is available to the public on MyCSULB.
PHIL 351I. Political Philosophy
(3):
Analysis of fundamental political concepts such as the legitimacy of
government,
the relation of justice to coercive power, the morality of war,
political
obligation, and sovereignty; and/or a study of political ideologies
such
as socialism, classical liberalism, and conservatism. Professors
Jeff
Moriarty and Max
Rosenkrantz revised this course to meet
the new General Education requirements for C.2.b. "Philosophy" and
IC/Interdiscplinary.
Professor Moriarty now teaches at Bowling Green State University. For
more information on the course, please
contact Professor Rosenkrantz directly.
PHIL
352I. Philosophy of Law (3): Study of the historical
development
of the philosophy of law and examination of the problems in the field
ranging
from general theories to analysis of fundamental legal concepts and
normative
issues. (Majors receive General
Education
credit
for an Interdisciplinary IC/capstone course, as well as credit toward
the major.
Non-majors
receive General Education credit for an Interdisciplinary course and
for
an upper-division C.2.b. "Philosophy" course.)
PHIL
451I. Liberty and Justice: Race, Ethnicity, and Gender in American Law(3):
Philosophical and legal analysis of how liberty and justice for
different
races, ethnic groups, and genders have been treated in American law. .
(Majors
receive General Education credit for a Human Diversity course and an
Interdisciplinary IC/Capstone
course, as well as credit toward the major. Non-majors receive General
Education credit for a Human Diversity course and an Interdisciplinary
course and an upper-division C.2.b. "Philosophy" course.)
Prerequisites: upper-division standing (junior standing required;
senior
standing
recommended); six units of philosophy or consent of instructor.
PHIL
452I. Law, Philosophy, and the Humanities(3): A comparison of
how
the law is considered by various disciplines; primary focus is on
philosophical
methods and legal methods, with some consideration of other humanities
disciplines, such as literature. (Majors receive General Education
credit
for an Interdisciplinary IC/capstone course, as well as credit toward
the major.
Non-majors
receive General Education credit for an Interdisciplinary course and
for
an upper-division C.2.b. "Philosophy" course.) Prerequisites:
upper-division standing (junior standing required; senior standing
recommended); six units of philosophy or consent of instructor. The last offering of
this course was in fall 2005. It is being deactivated from the
university curriculum and is no longer offered. Students who have
completed the course will receive the credit for GE and/or major
requirements noted here.
PHIL
489. Philosophy Internship/Pre-Law (3-6): Internship with
private
organizations and governmental agencies with law-related focus. Recent
internships have been completed at the California Coastal Commission,
the
Orange County Public Defenders' Office, the Orange County Bar
Foundation,
and various private firms. Work is done under the joint supervision of
the program sponsor and CSULB Philosophy Pre-Law Advisor. A mid-term
and
final report and internship conferences are required. Grading:
Credit/No-Credit. Prerequisites:
completion of a minimum of 15
upper-division
units required for the Philosophy major.
Thinking
about going to law school?
Here are some sites you might want
to
visit:
If you would like more information about the
Philosophy Pre-Law Program,
send me a message at e-mail:
jvancamp@csulb.edu
or write or call me:
Julie Van Camp, Professor of Philosophy
and Philosophy Pre-Law Advisor
Department of Philosophy
California State University, Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach,
CA 90840-2408
Faculty phone/voice mail: (562) 985-5854
Last updated: June 6, 2009
