Legal Studies

Sample program plan information is provided for sample purposes only. Students should consult with their academic advisor about their individual plan for course registration and completion of program requirements.

Required Courses (15 hrs.)

PLW 101 Introduction to the Legal Profession — 1
PLW 102 Introduction to Legal Research — 2
PLW 325 Legal Ethics — 3
PLW 400 Capstone Senior Experience — 3

Elective Courses (choose two) - 6 hrs.

ENG 306 Business Communication — 3
COM 330: Communication Law and Ethics — 3
PLS 460: Constitutional Law — 3
PLW 295 Introduction to Trial Advocacy — 3
HIS 307: History of the Early American Republic — 3
BLW 342: Legal Environment of Business — 3
BLW 347: Law and the Entrepreneur — 3
BLW 360: Business and Intellectual Property — 3
BLW 395: Real Estate Law — 3

Note: At least one course must be a BLW course.

PLW 101 - Introduction to the Legal Profession (1 hour)
Gen. Ed.
Survey course introducing students to various aspects of the legal profession. Intended for students with potential interest in a legal career. Prerequisite:

PLW 102 - Introduction to Legal Research (2 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Students learn to identify and utilize legal research resources to answer the legal issues presented by different factual scenarios and present the results in legal documents. Prerequisite:

PLW 295 - Introduction to Trial Advocacy (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Develop the critical thinking and communication skills utilized in trials in the United States; experiential learning by presentations judged by local lawyers and attorneys. Prerequisite:

PLW 300 - Pre-Law Internship (0-6 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. EL
Students considering law school work in a legal office setting, either private or public sector, to learn what the practice of law is like. Actual tasks are determined by the site supervisor. Placement is determined by the director of the Center for Legal Studies. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor, sophomore standing and 3.0 cumulative GPA.

PLW 325 - Legal Ethics (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Explore fundamental ethical issues presented to lawyers in United States created by the paradox of the adversarial system and the pursuit of truth. Prerequisite: Junior standing

PLW 400 - Capstone Experience (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
The focus will be upon critical thinking utilizing advanced legal advocacy and writing skills. Experiential learning will be an integral part of each seminar specifically utilizing members of the legal community. Prerequisite: PLW 101, PLW 102, PLW 325, or consent of the instructor

The Bradley Core Curriculum exposes all students to the requisite range of knowledge, skills and perspectives that prepares them for further learning and guides them on the path of continued growth to facilitate their success and fulfillment in a changing, complex world. In essence, the Bradley Core Curriculum lays the foundation for a lifetime of intellectual development.

More specifically, the Bradley Core Curriculum advances Lydia Moss Bradley’s intent that the university “furnish its students with the means of living an independent, industrious and useful life,” by equipping them with a common set of attributes, understandings and tools to:

Make connections between thoughts, ideas and people through more emphasis on collaboration, critical thinking, decision-making and inquiry across disciplines and cultures;
Become better communicators with the integrative, reflective and multidisciplinary mindset necessary in today’s global society; and
Embrace the flexibility of a customizable Bradley Experience by pursing the subject areas that best support or complement their individual interests, abilities and future plans.

Core Learning Outcomes

The Bradley Core Curriculum was designed to help students achieve specific Core Learning Outcomes that span all aspects of the program.

Critical and creative thinking. Bradley graduates will think critically, independently and creatively, and will employ evidence-based decision-making to solve problems and build new knowledge.
Effective communication. Bradley graduates will be effective oral, written and non-verbal communicators as well as active readers and listeners.
Multidisciplinary integration. Bradley graduates will approach learning in an integrated manner, connecting knowledge and skills across multiple disciplines.
Practical application. Bradley graduates will apply knowledge and skills from the classroom in real-world situations.
Social awareness. Bradley graduates will understand and act ethically upon their connections to larger communities.

Core Values

The Bradley Core Curriculum is grounded in a set of fundamental perspectives, Core Values, that lie at the heart of the university's scholarly enterprise.

Curiosity;
Freedom of inquiry and expression;
Belief in the unity of knowledge;
Pursuit of knowledge as its own end;
Dedication and persistence in learning;
Strong work ethic;
Humility and circumspection toward what is known;
Habit of self-reflection;
Integrity;
Flexibility; and
Civility.

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