Law and Legal Studies Major
“I … do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of The United States ….”
Opening words of the U.S. Army Officer Commissioning Oath
The Department of Law welcomes cadets who are interested in a
rigorous program in undergraduate legal studies, and offers the Law and
Legal Studies major for the Class of 2016.
Law has long been a proper subject of study by educated men and
women in many fields and professions, not just lawyers. Writers in virtually
every age and culture have addressed the nature of law and its significance to
their societies. This is especially so in our own country, which is founded on
the principle of the rule of law.
Our legal studies program supports the Academy’s academic goal of
educating cadets to be leaders of character in a rapidly changing and often
ambiguous world. The study of law requires a knowledge of history and culture, the ability to deal with
complex moral and ethical issues, clear and concise communication skills, and an understanding of how
individuals, organizations, and societies pursue goals. We do not seek to provide cadets with a body of
legal knowledge or to train them to become lawyers: this is not a pre-law program. Rather, it is designed
to educate cadets to think critically and analyze effectively complex social, technological, political,
economic, and moral problems that are contained within the framework of law.
The Department is a founding member of the Consortium of Undergraduate Law and Justice
Programs. Formed in 2003, the Consortium is an organization for colleges and universities that have
interdisciplinary programs geared toward undergraduate education about law and justice in the United
States and internationally. It seeks to help its members improve their programs to serve better the
educational needs of their students. Likewise, the Department of Law continually seeks ways to enhance
the educational experience of our legal studies majors so that they may be better prepared to serve as selfaware, adaptive, and highly capable leaders for the Army and the Nation.
Maritza S. Ryan
Colonel, JA
Professor and Head
Department of Law
2016 Law and Legal Studies Major
Subject Area
IT Course
Description
Choose 1 of 2
IT305
IT355
AND
Required Courses
THEORY & PRAC OF MIL IT SYS
ADV THEORY OF MIL IT SYS
LW310
LW474
LW495
LX300
AND
Elective
INTRO TO LEGAL STUDIES
LAW OF WAR
JURISPRUDENCE AND LEGAL THEORY
3RD SEMESTER FOREIGN LANG
LW410
LW472
LW473
LW475
LW481
LW488
LW490
COMPARATIVE LEGAL SYSTEMS
CRIMINAL LAW
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
ADV CONSTITUTIONAL LAW SEMINAR
INTERNATIONAL LAW
BUSINESS LAW
SPECIAL TOPICS
Must take all 4 of 4
Choose 4 of 7
Specialty Law Track
You must select one of the following two specialty law tracks.
Track 1:
International Law and Legal Systems
Choose 2 of the following:
EV365
EV371
EV372
EV373
EV375
EV376
HI344
GEOGRAPHY OF GLOBAL CULTURES
GEOGRAPHY OF RUSSIA
GEOGRAPHY OF ASIA
GEOGRAPHY OF LATIN AMERICA
GEOGRAPHY OF AFRICA
GEOGRAPHY OF MIDDLE EAST
MODERN DIPLOMACY
2
HI372
HI391
MG390
SS366
SS381
SS385
SS386
SS465
SS466
SS473
SS483
SS486
XH467
LXxxx
U.S. FOREIGN RELATIONS SINCE 1898
WORLD RELIGIONS
NEGOTIATIONS FOR LEADERS
COMPARATIVE POLITICS
POLITICAL AND CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
COMPARATIVE ECONOMIC SYSTEMS
POLITICAL THOUGHTS AND IDEAS
TERRORISM: NEW CHALLENGES
ADVANCED TERRORISM STUDIES
AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY
NATIONAL SECURITY SEMINAR
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY SEMINAR
WINNING THE PEACE
Completion of a 4th semester of a foreign language
OR
Track 2:
Constitutionalism and Society
Choose 2 of the following:
EP359
EP363
HI390
HI394
LOGICAL REASONING
POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
EARLY NATIONAL AMERICA
REVOLUTIONARY AMERICA
HI395
HI396
HI398
PL372
PL377
PL393
SS483
SS373
SS379
SS386
SS464
SS472
SS480
LXxxx
HISTORY OF CIVIL WAR AMERICA
MAKING OF MODERN AMERICA
SOCIETY & CULTURE IN AMER. HIST.
SOCIOLOGY OF THE FAMILY
SOCIAL INEQUALITY
CRIMINOLOGY
NATIONAL SECURITY SEMINAR
AMERICAN PRESIDENCY
LEGISLATIVE POLITICS
POLITICAL THOUGHT AND IDEAS
HOMELAND SECURITY
THE AMERICAN STATE & THE SOLDIER
ADVANCED AMER. POLITICS, POLICY, STRATEGY
Completion of a 4th semester of a foreign language
3
*Cadets majoring in Law and Legal Studies who are interested in taking a fourth semester of a foreign
language have the option to use one of their two electives offered outside the Department of Law on a
foreign language course.
2015 Law and Legal Studies Major w/ Honors Curriculum
Subject Area
Required Courses
Description
Choose 2 of 2
LW498
THESIS I: PROPOSAL & RESEARCH
LW499
THESIS II: PAPER & DEFENSE
AND
Grade Requirements
Complete the requirements of the major as shown above, attain an APSC of at least 3.0 in the core
curriculum and an APSC of at least 3.5 in the major, and an average of at least 3.33 in LW498 and
LW499.
4
LW310 COURSE DETAILS
COURSE
LW310
TITLE
INTRO TO LEGAL STUDIES
Eff. Year
2004
Eff. Term
1
Credit Hours
3.0
SCOPE
This course provides the foundation for studying law. It begins with a study of jurisprudence
and legal theory. Jurisprudence denotes the philosophy of law, an approach that considers the
sources and nature of the law and legal systems and encompasses such themes as natural law and
legal positivism. Legal theory looks at law and legal theory from the perspective of other
disciplines, such as sociology and economics. The course will further explore the nature,
function, sources and structure of the prevalent legal systems of the world. Cadets will use these
skills to explore systemic methods of legal analysis and apply those methods to the interpretation
of cases, statutes, regulations and constitutions. Short persuasive paper and two oral arguments.
LESSONS: 40 @ 55 min. (2.500 Att/wk) LABS: 0 @ 0 min.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Persuasive paper and oral arguments.
LW410 COURSE DETAILS
COURSE
LW410
TITLE
COMPARATIVE LEGAL
SYSTEMS
Eff. Year
2004
Eff. Term
1
Credit Hours
3.0
SCOPE
This course uses a comparative approach to study the three major legal systems of the world: the
English common law system, the civil law system (and its branches) of continental Europe, and
the Islamic legal system. These three systems are the foundation for the laws and legal systems
of most of the world today, including Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and east Asia.
Similarities and differences between these systems and the American legal system are explored.
Social, political, and economic factors which distinguish these systems and more recently have
begun to integrate them are covered. Emphasis is placed on the sources of law, the procedures
for resolving legal disputes, and basic principles of civil and criminal justice.
LESSONS: 40 @ 55 min. (2.500 Att/wk) LABS: 0 @ 0 min.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Persuasive paper and two presentations.
5
LW472 COURSE DETAILS
COURSE
LW472
TITLE
CRIMINAL LAW
Eff. Year
2006
Eff. Term
1
Credit Hours
3.0
SCOPE
This course will examine the legal, social, religious, cultural, and political motivations that
justice systems use to characterize certain actions as “criminal.” The course will revolve around
the traditional reasons for criminal law, namely blameworthiness and punishment, and also
examine how institutions use criminal law to serve their narrow interests. This course will
introduce theories surrounding criminal law and illustrate how cadets may apply law
immediately in their roles as officers. The course will examine federal and state criminal codes
and also the Uniform Code of Military Justice. From a legal perspective based on the U.S.
Constitution and other criminal codes, some of the topics covered include the death penalty,
insanity, corporate crime, conspiracy, murder, necessity, and self-defense.
LESSONS: 40 @ 55 min. (2.500 Att/wk) LABS: 0 @ 0 min.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: None.
LW473 COURSE DETAILS
COURSE
LW473
TITLE
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
Eff. Year
2013
Eff. Term
2
Credit Hours
3.0
SCOPE
Environmental law has become an integral part of the legal system in the United States today.
This course provides an introduction to environmental issues and the framework of the major
federal environmental statues (the National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, Clean
Air Act, Endangered Species Act, etc.), and how the law works in practice. The course also
covers environmental issues in the military and the growing subject of International
Environmental Law. This course provides a solid understanding of the legislative, administrative
and judicial system of environmental law today.
LESSONS: 40 @ 55 min. (2.500 Att/wk) LABS: 0 @ 0 min.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: One or more essays, as determined by the course instructor.
6
LW474 COURSE DETAILS
COURSE
LW474
TITLE
LAW OF WAR
Eff. Year
2011
Eff. Term
1
Credit Hours
3.0
SCOPE
This course is designed to develop in each student an understanding of basic law of war (LOW),
with an emphasis on issues that might arise on the battlefield at a tactical level. The ethical and
historical background of LOW will be examined, including Geneva Conventions and protocols,
and how LOW is enforced on international and national levels, to include prosecution under the
Uniform Code of Military Justice. Illustrative examples will include the Nuremberg Tribunal,
My Lai, and the Gulf War. The emphasis is on the LOW responsibilities of the junior officer.
LESSONS: 40 @ 55 min. (2.500 Att/wk) LABS: 0 @ 0 min.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Two research papers of moderate length (approximately five
pages each) may be required. Topics will be determined in consultation with the instructor.
LW475 COURSE DETAILS
COURSE
LW475
TITLE
ADVANCED
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
SEMINAR
Eff. Year
1980
Eff. Term
1
Credit Hours
3.0
SCOPE
This seminar course covers a broad range of traditional and contemporary constitutional law
topics. Cadets gain a better understanding of constitutional law and the role of the U.S. Supreme
Court in the government through the study of cases in particular areas of constitutional law. The
seminar format demands active participation in classroom debate, role playing, and critical
thinking about complex issues of law and policy. As part of the seminar curriculum, each cadet
will assume the role of a Supreme Court Justice. In this role, the cadet will study real cases
pending before the Supreme Court and will write opinions reflecting the cadet's decision based
on principled reasoning. The seminar typically travels to the Supreme Court to hear argument in
a current case as part of the role playing and opinion writing exercise.
LESSONS: 40 @ 55 min. (2.500 Att/wk) LABS: 0 @ 0 min.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Presentations, oral arguments, and written opinions as required
by the instructor.
7
LW481 COURSE DETAILS
COURSE
LW481
TITLE
INTERNATIONAL LAW
Eff. Year
2004
Eff. Term
1
Credit Hours
3.0
SCOPE
The field of international law is one of the most dynamic areas of the law, and its principles are
often applied in addressing the complex security problems facing our nation. This course will
familiarize you with the doctrines which govern the rights and obligations of states and
international organizations, during both times of peace and conflict. This course will integrate
some themes from other courses in the Department of Law and reinforce some fundamental
principles you will confront as you seek to understand the relationship between law, diplomacy,
and military operations.
LESSONS: 40 @ 55 min. (2.500 Att/wk) LABS: 0 @ 0 min.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: None.
LW488 COURSE DETAILS
COURSE
LW481
TITLE
BUSINESS LAW
Eff. Year
1978
Eff. Term
1
Credit Hours
3.0
SCOPE
This course introduces cadets to the basics of business and commercial law and prepares cadets
as leaders to identify and achieve resolution of legal issues in everyday business transactions. It
surveys the multi-dimensional nature of the rule of law as it governs commerce. Cadets will
develop critical thinking skills by analyzing fact-based scenarios, evaluate the ethical aspects of
business decisions, and assess the impact law has on political, social, environmental, and
technological developments in business. This course employs both case study and problemsolving methods of instruction.
LESSONS: 40 @ 55 min. (2.500 Att/wk) LABS: 0 @ 0 min.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: None.
8
LW490 COURSE DETAILS
COURSE
LW490
TITLE
SPECIAL TOPICS
Eff. Year
1999
Eff. Term
2
Credit Hours
3.0
SCOPE
An in-depth seminar course concentrating on a single area of the law. The course is conducted by
the Department's Visiting Professor or a Law faculty member when the visiting professor is
unavailable.
LESSONS: 40 @ 55 min. (2.500 Att/wk) LABS: 0 @ 0 min.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Potential for one or more essays, as determined by the course
instructor, and dependent on the nature of the Special Topics course.
LW495 COURSE DETAILS
COURSE
LW495
TITLE
JURISPRUDENCE AND
LEGAL THEORY
Eff. Year
2005
Eff. Term
2
Credit Hours
3.0
SCOPE
This course is the capstone for the Law and Legal Studies majors at the Academy. The course is
an advanced seminar in the legal philosophy as applied to contemporary domestic and
international issues. The course integrates legal coursework throughout the curriculum and the
Cadet’s respective legal studies major.
LESSONS: 40 @ 55 min. (2.500 Att/wk) LABS: 0 @ 0 min.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Assessment will be based on student papers, projects, and
presentations.
9
“A competent knowledge of the laws of one’s country is the proper accomplishment of every … scholar,
and is almost an essential part of a liberal education.”
Sir William Blackstone, lecture on The Study of the Law, delivered at Oxford University, 1758
For information on the Law and Legal Studies Program contact:
LTC Walter Narramore  845-938-5818, Department Academic Counselor
(DAC)
walter.narramore@usma.edu
Department of Law, 4th floor, Building 606
Visit us on the web at:
http://www.dean.usma.edu/law/
10