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Legal Studies Minor
Do you want to better understand the law and the functions it plays in society? Do you want to improve your communication, writing, and analytical thinking skills? If you’re looking for a minor that will do all of that and challenge you to think deeply on important issues, the legal studies minor at Ƶcould be the perfect minor for you.
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Program Overview
Minoring in legal studies at Ƶwill help you learn through several academic disciplines. From communication to criminal justice, business administration to philosophy, you’ll learn about justice, the law’s role in keeping it, and God’s influence on our justice system.
At Dordt, our professors invest fully in each student’s success. We offer opportunities for students to learn in dynamic settings and environments. And we help you better understand how your Christian faith can be woven into every aspect of your professional career.
What You'll Learn
As a legal studies minor, you’ll take classes in argumentative writing and persuasion, logic, and American constitutional law. You’ll also take classes in business law, criminal law, or criminal procedures. Most important, you’ll better understand the importance of a biblical perspective on law and the legal system.
What You Can Do With A Legal Studies Minor
A legal studies minor can supplement a wide array of majors. Along with learning about the legal system, you’ll develop valuable critical thinking skills. Those skills pair well with any major, but if your goal is to study law, you may want to focus on a political science, economics, or business administration major. Regardless, you’ll leave Ƶwith a wider skill set that will benefit any career you choose.
Legal Assistant
A Legal Assistant helps with the daily routine tasks of a lawyer.
Paralegal
Although more than a minor is suggested to become a Paralegal, Paralegals will conduct legal research and help assist lawyers with a variety of tasks.
Court Reporter
A Court Reporter provides the notes and description of a court proceeding.
Career Preparation
Ƶ's 2023 Career Outcome Rate was 99.4%! “This data point tells us that Ƶgraduates are prepared for the careers of their choosing,” said Amy Westra, director of Career Development. “A Ƶeducation provides students with industry-relevant courses and connections that make a difference.”
To earn a legal studies minor, students will need to complete a variety of communication, criminal justice, philosophy, and business administration courses.
- Advanced Argumentative Writing: The primary goal of this course is to help students argue and persuade well in writing, in preparation for careers that demand high-level argumentation—such as seminary, law school, graduate school, political work, and research and grant writing. Students will study the art of rhetoric, writing for specific audiences in order to persuade, dissuade, or inspire them. They will also incorporate research, at an advanced level.
- Argumentation and Persuasion: After a study of the history of argumentation and persuasion and the relationship of argumentation and persuasion, this course will focus on various theories of attitude change, the structure of argument, and the development of a Christian perspective. Applications of argument and persuasion to be considered are: propaganda, advertising, political campaigns, and political debate. The student will be expected to apply the course studies to his/her specific vocational decisions.
- American Constitutional Law: This course focuses on the American Constitution as interpreted by the Supreme Court. Through analysis of landmark cases, this course will study both historical and recent developments in constitutional law with the goal of gaining deeper insight into the way our system works and the reasons for the freedoms we hold dear. Prerequisite: Political Science 202; junior standing; or permission of instructor.
- Logic: An introduction to the study of logic, both deductive and inductive, focusing on its systematic, philosophical, and historical development.
- Business Law I: This course provides an overview of the law as it relates to business, specifically focusing on regulation of businesses and business dealings. Specific topics covered include: government regulation, contracts, secured transactions, insurance, bankruptcy, and employment law. Primary emphasis is placed on contract formation and interpretation.
- Business Law II: This course provides an overview of the law as it relates to business, specifically focusing on the way businesses manage liabilities. Specific topics covered include: torts, agency and vicarious liability, property, intellectual property, business entities, and estate and succession planning. Primary emphasis is placed on torts and corporate governance.
- Criminal Law: This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of criminal law focusing on a study of what constitutes particular crimes, both in the common law and by statute, including certain defenses. Principles learned in this course will help students develop a deeper ability to discern what constitutes fair administration of justice: dealing fairly with the accused while continuing to uphold the interests of both victims and society at large.
- Criminal Procedures: This course continues the material covered in Criminal Law, this time focusing on the procedural protections guaranteed by the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th Amendments to the Constitution, helping students develop a more sophisticated understanding of things like searches and seizures and the right to an attorney. Students will learn the crucial role these protections play in protecting the rights of those suspected or accused of criminal activity.
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Faculty
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Student Stories
Ƶstudents and alumni use their gifts to make a difference in the world. Check out their stories to see how Defender Nation lives out our mission to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.
When Worlds Collide
Becca Groninga Merging rap music and an engineering degreeEngineering and rap seem like two separate worlds, but at Dordt, Becca was able to pursue both interests.
Becca Groninga Merging rap music and an engineering degree
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