Overview
The History and Political Science Department can provide a solid foundation for a career in law. The Pre-law Program is specifically designed to prepare students to enter and succeed in law school while challenging them to consider how Christian faith is relevant to the legal system.
As a pre-professional program, students can link their Pre-law studies with any major they choose including those recommended by the American Bar Association and most law schools: history, political science, communication, English, business, criminal justice, psychology, information technology, math, biology, and Spanish. Our Pre-law Program also introduces students to a broad range of challenging liberal arts courses and opportunities for an internship in the field. The program culminates in the Pre-law Capstone Seminar and includes a Pre-law faculty advisor in addition to a primary advisor.
Course Requirements for a Pre-Law minor
Courses
Examples of courses in this major:
LAW313 Business Law I
Basic legal principles which control modern business transactions. Deals with such topics as contracts, agencies, employment, negotiable instruments, property, sales, and business relations with government.
LAW410 Criminal Law
The study of substantive criminal law as a means of defining social values. Attention is given to the definition and classification of crime, as well as criminal law theory and the relationship of criminal law to the criminal justice system.
POS220 Introduction to American Government
This introduces students to how the political system in America functions. It focuses on the actual workings of the American government and starts with the cultural and constitutional contexts of American politics.
LAW 250 Mediation Team
This varsity academic team focuses on learning and practicing important mediation skills. Students will participate in regional and national mediation conferences and tournaments.
COM414 Argumentation and Debate
An examination of the logical structure and function of argument in oral and written discourse with special attention given to fallacies and test of evidence. Students will engage in two-person and four-person classroom debates.
Faculty
The individuals who will challenge you to learn:
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Mark Norris, B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.
Dean, School of Arts and Sciences, Chair of the Dept. of History and Political Science, Pre-law advisor
Education History
B.A. in History and English, Spring Arbor University; M.Sc. in British History, University of Edinburgh, U.K.; Ph.D. in British History, University of Edinburgh, U.K.
About
Dr. Mark Norris is the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, chair of the department of History and Political Science, and the pre-law advisor. He teaches courses in British, European, and world history. Dr. Norris is engaged in various writing projects dealing with Tudor England, the history of India, and religion in America during the early part of the twentieth century. Additionally, he is working on writing the history of Grace College and Seminary. Dr. Norris has taken students on study trips to Scotland, India, and to areas in the South that were instrumental in the Civil Rights movement. He also is coach of the Grace Mediation team. Dr. Norris and his wife, Marla, have three children and live in Warsaw, Indiana.
Careers
Some of the positions you can obtain:
- Freelance Writer
- Contract with organizations to provide writing services that are creative, insightful, and/or technical; and always tailored to the marketplace. Remain up to date on current trends in the field in which they write by being a continuous learner.
- Newspaper Reporter
- Collect and analyze information about newsworthy events to write stories for publication. Gather and verify factual information through interviews, observation, and research.
- Publisher
- Develop and implement global strategies that enhance advertising revenue. Find new sources to generate growth and profit through online media products. Prepare complete monthly and/or quarterly reports and sales forecasts.
- Judge
- Arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. May sentence defendant in criminal cases according to government statutes. May determine liability of defendant in civil cases. May issue marriage licenses and perform wedding ceremonies.
- Law Librarian
- Administer libraries and perform related library services. Work in a variety of settings, including public libraries, schools, colleges and universities, museums, corporations, government agencies, law firms, non-profit organizations, and health care providers. Tasks may include selecting, acquiring, cataloging, classifying, circulating, and maintaining library materials; and furnishing reference, bibliographical, and readers' advisory services. May perform in-depth, strategic research, and synthesize, analyze, edit, and filter information. May set up or work with databases and information systems to catalog and access information.
- Lawyer
- Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, and manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
- Legal Investigator
- Detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment, or seek, examine, and compile information for client.
- Mediator
- Facilitate negotiation and conflict resolution through dialogue. Resolve conflicts outside of the court system by mutual consent of parties involved.
- Paralegal
- Assist lawyers by researching legal precedent, investigating facts, or preparing legal documents. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
Testimonials
What others are saying:
The Department of History and Political Science takes a holistic approach to education. The faculty demonstrate a unique marriage of excellence and rigor with flexibility, grace, and a desire to learn along with students.
—Bailey Standish B.A., Pre-Law and Communication, 2010