Overview
Wesley Renfro, Chair
Melissa Bissonette (English), James Bowers (Political Science), Robert Brimlow (Philosophy), Clair Smith (Economics),* Jane Snyder (Political Science)
*On leave, Spring 2017
Pre-Law and Legal Studies at Fisher
The legal studies major is the academic component of the pre-law experience at Fisher. Pre-law at Fisher also includes the Pre-Law Student Association, participation in such activities as mock trial, and one-on-one advising with the College's pre-law advisor or with any of the Legal Studies faculty listed above. Fisher students interested in law school may also avail themselves of the 3+3 Legal Education Admissions Program (LEAP). In conjunction with Michigan State University Law School and Ohio Northern University Petit School of Law, Fisher offers the opportunity for a selected number of qualified students to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Juris Doctor degree over the course of approximately six years of full-time study. See the pre-law experience section for more information.
The legal studies major is one of two majors offered by the Department of Political Science and Legal Studies. It is multi-disciplinary in its focus. The legal studies major is for Fisher students who have broad and varied interests in the relationship between law and society; who may be seriously considering attending law school or graduate school after completing their undergraduate degrees; or who are interested in an array of careers such as paralegal, lobbying, union organizing, and government service where some basic knowledge of law and legal systems is important.
The legal studies major is designed to introduce students to substantive knowledge about law and society (broadly defined) with an emphasis on law’s societal, political, and humanities contexts. The legal studies major also builds students’ analytical and communication skills, necessary for doing well in law school, graduate school, or the workplace.
The legal studies major is a Bachelor of Arts program. All legal studies majors are required to complete a second major in another discipline in any school at the College.