Why a minor in Legal Studies and History?
As an academic subject, law stands at a disciplinary crossroad that intersects many of the liberal arts and social sciences. This University Minor seeks to expose students to multiple points of view about law and public policy as general preparation for careers or graduate studies in government, journalism, health care, business, international affairs, or the nonprofit sector.
Who is sponsoring the minor?
The History Department of the School of Arts and Sciences and the Wharton School’s Legal Studies & Business Ethics Department jointly sponsor and maintain this University Minor. Both History and Legal Studies & Business Ethics are consistently rated at or near the top of their respective disciplines in national rankings. Courses in these two departments are among the best taught and most popular at the University.
Is this program going to improve my chances of getting into law school?
No. This program will neither help nor hurt an undergraduate’s chances of getting into law school. Grade point average, Law School Aptitude Test (LSAT) scores, and letters of recommendation are the leading factors in most law school admissions. As a general matter, students seeking law school admission should select a major field of study that interests them and excel at it. The Undergraduate Advisor in the Legal Studies & Business Ethics Department and Career Services can provide further information on law school admissions as it relates to the University Minor.
How do I sign up for the University Minor in Legal Studies and History?
If you are a Wharton student you should contact the Legal Studies & Business Ethics Department Advisor at lgstundergradadvisor@wharton.upenn.edu, and discuss how you plan to satisfy the Minor. If you are a student in the College of Arts and Science then you should contact the Undergraduate Advisor in the History Department or a CAS advisor. The Legal Studies & Business Ethics Department Advisor is available to assist both Wharton and CAS students in understanding the options among Legal Studies & Business Ethics courses.
I have questions about how to fulfill the Legal Studies & Business Ethics or other Wharton course requirements for the minor. Where should I go?
The Legal Studies & Business Ethics Department handles this for everyone. That is, if you have questions about fulfilling the requirements for Bracket 3 (“International Perspective”), Bracket 4 (“Public Policy and Regulation”), or Bracket 5 (“Legal Depth”), you should contact the undergraduate advisor in the Legal Studies & Business Ethics Department, regardless of whether or not you are a Wharton student. Please note: As a matter of department policy, we do not allow substitutions of other courses for LGST 101, one of the three required courses.
I have questions about how to fulfill the History or other College course requirements for the minor. Where should I go?
This is the History Department’s bailiwick. More precisely, if you have questions about Bracket 1 (“Philosophical Foundations of Law”) or Bracket 2 (“The Political and Institutional Context of Law”), ask the History Department’s undergraduate advisor (see http://www.history.upenn.edu/ug_adv1.html) – regardless of whether or not you are a student in the College.
I need help in finalizing the minor on my worksheets. Can the Legal Studies & Business Ethics Department handle that?
No. If you are a student in the College, please contact the History Department’s undergraduate advisor. If you are a Wharton student, and you have completed the minor’s requirements, please contact the Undergraduate Division (http://undergrad.wharton.upenn.edu/).
I’ve been to the website, but would like to learn more. Where should I go?
It depends. The minor is a collaboration between the Legal Studies & Business Ethics Department and the History Department, and our departments allocate responsibility depending on your affiliation and depending on the substance of your concern. If you are a Wharton student with a general question, you should contact the Legal Studies & Business Ethics Department advisor by email. If, on the other hand, you are a student in the College of Arts and Sciences with a general question, you should contact the undergraduate advisor in the History Department. (see http://www.history.upenn.edu/ug_adv1.html) or another advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences.