Planning Your Program
Law schools and undergraduate colleges agree that there is no such thing as a “pre-law” curriculum. While many aspiring lawyers take courses in political science, history or English, students may do just as well with academic emphases in science, engineering, math or foreign languages. In fact, fields such as patent or intellectual property law may be more accessible to a student with a strong science or engineering background.
The University of Richmond encourages students interested in law to develop certain skills that will be useful in law school and law practice. Law students and attorneys are expected to read and comprehend tremendous amounts of printed material. Undergraduates are advised to take courses that develop their abilities to read and analyze texts. Courses in history, political science, comparative literature, economics, philosophy, religious studies and leadership studies offer this opportunity.
All attorneys, whether litigators or not, must be comfortable speaking. Lawyers must speak to their clients and their peers and law school requires considerable public recitation. Courses in communication studies as well as discussion-oriented courses in history, political science, comparative literature, philosophy, sociology, psychology, economics, religious studies and leadership studies can expose students to public speaking opportunities.
Law is one of the few realms remaining in American society that depends on deductive reasoning. Courses in philosophy, logic and mathematics can help develop this ability in students. Yet, probably the most important of all skills for an attorney is the ability to write clear, specific, precise prose. Students who aspire to law school are strongly encouraged to take courses that will require them to write concise analytical papers and exams. Courses in history, religious studies, philosophy, leadership studies, political science, comparative literature and English are especially valuable in meeting the goal of developing good writers.
The practice of law in the 21st century will require most, if not all, of its devotees to know foreign languages and to appreciate foreign cultures. The University of Richmond is understandably proud of the opportunities it presents its students for foreign study. Its programmatic offerings in foreign languages and culture are equally impressive. Moreover, the interdisciplinary approach utilized in various programs encourages students to think outside of conventional disciplines and paradigms. Students interested in law are encouraged to expand their thought processes in a similar way.
Students who do decide to complement their program of study with the minor in law and the liberal arts, will take courses in six out of eight distinct subject areas that contribute to the competencies mentioned above: law; American history; economics; ethics; the legal system; logical reasoning; public speaking, rhetoric and debate; and writing. The subject areas are purposefully broad so that course offerings remain diverse. Students might take a course in international law followed by one in environmental ethics and other in abstract mathematics.
