Department of Politics, Law and Society

ECU DEPARTMENT OF POLITICS, LAW AND SOCIETY
Welcome to the Department of Politics, Law and Society! Thank you for visiting our page. Our department is the home of two very different and dynamic programs of study. In both 政治科学 and 法律研究, our faculty is devoted to providing educational experiences that will prepare you for life in the real world. Our goal is for as many students as possible to participate in active learning, 比如模拟, 实习, 网络, and service learning. Many of our students also present their original research in off-campus academic conferences such as Oklahoma Research Day and the Oklahoma 政治科学 Association Annual Meeting. Please consider becoming a part of our community of scholars!

Should you choose 政治科学 or 法律研究?
Students seem to become interested in our department for three reasons. First, they seek training to work in a law office as a legal assistant. Second, they want to go to law school and become an attorney. Third, they simply love politics. If any of these descriptions fit you, you have come to the right place. Next, you need to decide if you should major in 政治科学 or 法律研究. Many of our students wrestle with the decision about which is the best path for them. The truth is that ECU has prepared many successful law students in each program. 法律研究 is more legally technical. If you wish to become a legal assistant, this is the major for you. 政治科学 更概念化, so people who love ideas or arguing about politics will feel more at home with this major. Many students major in one, and minor in the other. The 法律研究 minor provides students majoring in other degree fields the opportunity to explore law as a discipline at the undergraduate level and study the impact of law on their area of interest. The 法律研究 minor is not approved by the American Bar Association as the 法律研究 minor is not intended to prepare students for paralegal positions. Students who minor in 法律研究 should not represent themselves as prepared for paralegal employment. The 法律研究 minor is open to Pre-Law students and students from any other discipline at ECU. Graduates of ECU's ABA-approved 法律研究 program are immediately employable in a law office as a paralegal or legal assistant. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

Success in any career today demands flexibility based in three skill areas: the ability to think critically, the ability to analyze information from a variety of sources and apply that analysis to solving problems, and the ability to communicate that analysis to others. These skills are particularly critical for careers in law, 政府, 业务, 教学, 医学, as well as for successes in graduate or professional school. Both 政治科学 and 法律研究 equip students in these three areas.

Do you wish you could major in PRE-LAW?
While Pre-Law is a major at many colleges and universities, at ECU we channel students either into 政治科学 or 法律研究. 接近 100% of ECU students are accepted into law school! While you will not have to decide right away, we suggest you make a decision by your Sophomore year so you can take the recommended General Education classes for your major and get on the right track. For more information or advice, contact Dr. 克里斯汀·帕帕斯, Pre-Law advisor, at cpappas@feelinfly.net.

Departmental Brochure