Philosophy and Law Program

Director: Professor Mickaella Perina

The Program

The Philosophy and Law Program in is open to all UMass Boston students as a supplement to their majors. This interdisciplinary program, administered by the Philosophy Department in collaboration with the Law Program of the College of Public and Community Service, provides strong preparation and important background for students interested in attending law school or pursuing law-related careers. This cross-college, integrated program has been designed for students seeking a deeper understanding of the law and its role in society. Courses are taught by lawyers, philosophers and other liberal arts faculty with expertise in the law.

The program requires the completion of eight courses: four philosophy courses and four law-related courses. At least three of the eight courses must be at the 300 level or higher. No more than one course may be taken on a pass-fail basis.

The specific requirements are as follows:

PHIL 100 (Introduction to Philosophy) or PHIL 108 (Moral and Social Problems)
PHIL 120 (Logic)
PHIL 290 (Philosophy of Law)
PHIL 410 (Feminist Legal Theory) or PHIL 450 (Rights) or PHIL 411 (Critical Legal Theory) or PHIL 301 (Ethics of Property)
PHILAW 210 (CPCS) (Legislative Labyrinth)
PHILAW 300 (CPCS) (Basic Legal Reasoning and Research)

Two additional courses from the following list:

CPCS Law Program courses (Any)
AFRSTY 430 (Race and the American Legal Process)
HIST 378 (American Legal History)
PHIL G201 (Morals and the Law)
PHIL 323 (Mental Health: Law and Public Policy)
POLSCI 329 (American Constitutional Law and Theory)
POLSCI 335 (Law and Public Policy)
POLSCI 332 (Civil Liberties in the US)
POLSCI 415 (Law and International Relations)
SOCIOL 461 (Internship in Law and Criminal Justice)*
SOCIOL 462 (Internship in Law and Juvenile Justice)*
SOCIOL 467 (Sociology of Law)
WOST 291 (Family Law Practice)

Further information about the program is available from the Philosophy Department.

*Six-credit course.