THE LAW FORUM AT UC IRVINE
Law Forum
Information Sheet: 2010-2011
The Law Forum provides an intellectual and practical exploration of modern law through
course work, discussion gatherings with practicing attorneys and distinguished UCI faculty, and
hands-on legal research projects. Members also take part in the small-group “Advocacy” course to
hone effective presentation techniques as well as the capstone “Law in the 21st Century” course to
explore ethical and professional issues facing various members of the legal profession. Students
completing the program’s requirements are awarded a certificate of recognition at an annual event
each spring. Given law’s profound impact on modern politics, culture and community, the program
helps prepare our students not only for possible legal careers but more importantly to be informed,
effective citizens.
I.
Membership Prerequisites
The Law Forum is open to current UCI undergraduate students from any major. To apply
for Forum membership, students will be asked to submit a transcript confirming the following:

Completion of the "Introduction to Law" course (Political Science 71A).

Completion of at least 16 more units within the School of Social Sciences.

A minimum "Social Science GPA" of 3.4 (only courses offered by the School of Social
Sciences are used to calculate this figure).
Applications are available on our website or outside Social Science Tower [SST] #546. Applicants
will also participate in an individual or group interview at the Director’s discretion.
II.
Course Work
To receive a certificate of program completion, Law Forum participants must complete seven
courses in the School of Social Sciences, four required courses and three electives.
Required Courses (4) (enrollment priority for Law Forum members)

Advocacy (Poli Sci 179/Soc Sci 189) – This seminar course provides hands-on
opportunities to enhance presentation and debate skills in a small group setting with
regular instructor feedback. Legal topics vary.

Law & Society (Poli Sci 171AW/Soc Sci 189) – This seminar course provides the
opportunity to conduct independent legal research and prepare a written analysis under
instructor supervision. Legal topics vary.
*With topic approval, students may substitute a 10+ page law-related paper prepared
through an upper division writing course, independent study or honors thesis chapter.

Law Forum Seminar II (Poli Sci 179/Soc Sci 189) – Members of this seminar course
rotate responsibility for presenting on a variety of substantive and professional topics.
Individual responsibility and teamwork are both emphasized.

Law in the 21st Century (Poli Sci 171F/Soc Sci 172D) – This capstone course
examines social and ethical challenges facing members of the judiciary and the modern
legal profession.
*Students may substitute Soc Sci 181A "Ethical Leadership" for this course.
For further information, please visit us at www.socsci.uci.edu/lawforum .
THE LAW FORUM AT UC IRVINE
Elective Courses (3) (general admission; no enrollment priority)

Upper Division Electives (see our website for a complete list) – At least three
upper division elective courses on legal subjects must be completed within the School of
Social Sciences. The full range of courses offered varies from year to year.
Examples:
Constitutional Law
Civil Rights / Civil Liberties
U.S. Supreme Court
International Law
Jurisprudence / The Philosophy of Law
Race & the Law / Gender & the Law
Law & Economics
Legal Implications of the Drug Trade
This list is not exhaustive. In addition to the courses listed here, students will find
numerous other Public Law courses offered by the Political Science Department
(courses numbered 170-179) as well as possible new courses offered by other
Departments within the School of Social Sciences. See our website for an updated
list of courses that satisfy this requirement.
*In rare cases, students may petition to substitute another law-related course from
outside the Social Sciences for one of these elective courses.
III.
Optional Activities
Although not required, the Law Forum offers the following additional opportunities for members:

Discussion Events – Faculty and community guests join the Law Forum in
sponsoring a variety of activities (such as coffee breaks, brown bag lunches and film
screenings). Law Forum members receive email invitations to these special events.

Paper Presenter – Law Forum members are encouraged to present their research
papers to their peers in a small group setting. This provides valuable public
speaking experience as well as useful insight for possible paper revision.

Guest Debater or Guest Judge – Students who have completed the "Advocacy"
course often enjoy participating as a member of a special exhibition debate team or
visiting subsequent Advocacy classes as a guest judge.
FAQ
When should I apply to join the Forum?
Apply for membership (which provides course enrollment priority and invitations to special
events) as soon as you have satisfied the “membership prerequisites” (see Part I).
Students may find it more challenging to complete all the program requirements
during the senior year; this will be discussed during the membership interview.
Must I complete all of my required and elective course work in one year?
No; enrollment priority in some courses may be based on class standing.
Once I have joined the Forum, how do I petition to use a different legal research paper to satisfy
the certificate requirements?
If you have secured your own opportunity to write a law-related paper under faculty
supervision, contact the Law Forum Director (see website) for advance topic approval.
When are certificates awarded?
Certificates of completion are awarded during the spring quarter of each academic year.
For further information, please visit us at www.socsci.uci.edu/lawforum .
Program Application
Law Forum 2010-11
School of Social Sciences
University of California, Irvine
-- RETURN THIS PAGE WITH REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS -Full Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Last
First
Student ID#___________________________
Middle
Date _____________________________
Local Address _______________________________________________________________________
City, State, ZIP___________________________________
Local Phone (____) _________________
UCI Email Address (required): ________________________@uci.edu
Alternate Email Address (optional): ______________________________________________________
Permanent Address___________________________________________________________________
City, State, ZIP: ____________________________
Permanent Phone ( ____ ) _________________
Major: __________________________ Minor: ________________________ UCI GPA: __________
Class Level:
Freshman: _______
Sophomore: _______
Junior: _______
Other Colleges Attended: ________________________________
Senior: _________
Date of Transfer: ______________
Already completed 20 units of coursework in School of Social Sciences?_____ Soc Sci GPA: ______
Already completed Political Science 71A (Introduction to Law)? ______ Which quarter?: ___________
Expected Date of Graduation: ___________ Planning to study outside Irvine before graduation? _____
If planning quarter(s) outside Irvine, please explain: _________________________________________
What are your educational or work plans after graduation? ____________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Please complete this page and attach the following:
– An initialed copy of the following page (Law Forum Program Requirements);
– A copy of your most recent transcript (“printer friendly” unofficial copy from Internet is fine);
– A 1-2 page (double-spaced) personal statement that includes your reasons for applying to
this program, your previous research or work experience, an affirmation that you are
comfortable working in a team-based course environment, and any other information that may
be relevant to your participation in this program; and
– A brief summary of your schedule openings for the remainder of the quarter (to facilitate a
program admission interview; interview format will vary at Director’s discretion).
Staple everything together with this form on top. Submit your materials to Ms. Renee Martin in
Social Science Plaza A [SSPA] Room #3169 during weekday business hours. Thank you.
Law Forum Program Requirements
(Updated October 2010 – INITIAL THIS COPY AND RETURN IT WITH YOUR APPLICATION)
Program Prerequisites (completed prior to membership application)
–
–
Completion of Introduction to Law (PoliSci 71A lower division course)
16 more units completed in the School of Social Sciences (minimum 3.4 overall SocSci GPA) 1
Upper Division Required Courses (all four required for certificate: enrollment priority2 available)
–
Advocacy (upper division team-based oral argument seminar) 3
–
Law & Society (upper division individual research/writing course) 4
–
Law Forum Seminar II (upper division group presentation seminar) 5
–
Law in the 21st Century (upper division course on ethics & the legal profession) 6
Upper Division Elective Courses (at least 3 required for certificate: general admission)
U.S. Supreme Court
Politics and the Supreme Court
Federalism, Courts & the Regulatory State
American Constitutional Law
Constitutional Law (Special Topics/Chemerinsky)
Contemporary Constitutional Rights
Civil Rights
Civil Liberties
Free Expression in a Democratic Society
Cyberspeech & Gaming
International Law
Advanced Topics in International Law
International Environmental Law
Law & Policy of Global Climate Change
Comparative Law
Comparative Constitutional Politics
7
Comparative Judicial Politics
Law & Courts in Developing Democracies
War Crimes Trials
Art of Trial Law
Jurisprudence
Judges, Ethics & Politics
Philosophy of Law (aka Nature of the Law)
Law & Economics [Econ]
Law & Markets
Legal Implications of the Drug Trade
Life & Death Decisions Under Law
Law & Medicine
Racial Equality and the U.S. Supreme Court
Gender Equality and the Law
Law, Colonialism & Nationalism [Anthro]
Law Forum Seminar (I)
Additional Opportunities for Law Forum Members (optional: by permission)
Law Forum Paper Presenter
Advocacy Alumni: Guest Judge or Exhibition Debater
1
Please note that the overall Social Sciences GPA is not the same as the overall UCI GPA. Calculate this figure by
referring only to coursework within the School of Social Sciences (Political Science, Economics, Social Science,
Sociology, Anthropology, Chicano/Latino Studies, Logic & Philosophy of Science, Cognitive Science, etc.).
2
Enrollment priority for "Law & Society (171AW)" is available when course is offered annually by the Law Forum
Director (Sellgren). The course may be offered by other instructors under general admission (i.e., no Forum priority).
Law Forum priority is always available for "Advocacy," "Law Forum Seminar (II)" and "Law in the 21st Century."
3
There is no substitute for the "Advocacy" course. It may be offered only once each year, so please make this
course a scheduling priority when it is available.
4
The "Law & Society (171AW)" research/writing course can be replaced by any one of the following: 10+ page
legal research paper through independent study, 10+ page law-related paper through an upper division writing
course, or 10+ page law-related honors thesis chapter. Contact the Law Forum Director for advance topic approval.
5
There is no substitute for the "Law Forum Seminar (II)" course. It may be offered only once each year, so please
make this course a scheduling priority when it is available.
6
The "Law in the 21st Century" course can be replaced by the "Ethical Leadership (SocSci 181A)" course. Each
course is offered no more than once each year, so please plan your schedule accordingly.
7
In rare cases, another upper division law course may be used to replace one of these three elective courses. Please
submit a cover note and copy of the course syllabus to the Law Forum Director to inquire about this option.
(Courses used to satisfy your "required courses" category cannot be used for this purpose.)
Law Forum Program Requirements
(Updated October 2010 - SAVE THIS COPY FOR YOUR RECORDS)
Program Prerequisites (completed prior to membership application)
–
–
Completion of Introduction to Law (PoliSci 71A lower division course)
16 more units completed in the School of Social Sciences (minimum 3.4 overall SocSci GPA) 1
Upper Division Required Courses (all four required for certificate: enrollment priority2 available)
–
Advocacy (upper division team-based oral argument seminar) 3
–
Law & Society (upper division individual research/writing course) 4
–
Law Forum Seminar II (upper division group presentation seminar) 5
–
Law in the 21st Century (upper division course on ethics & the legal profession) 6
Upper Division Elective Courses (at least 3 required for certificate: general admission)
U.S. Supreme Court
Politics and the Supreme Court
Federalism, Courts & the Regulatory State
American Constitutional Law
Constitutional Law (Special Topics/Chemerinsky)
Contemporary Constitutional Rights
Civil Rights
Civil Liberties
Free Expression in a Democratic Society
Cyberspeech & Gaming
International Law
Advanced Topics in International Law
International Environmental Law
Law & Policy of Global Climate Change
Comparative Law
Comparative Constitutional Politics
7
Comparative Judicial Politics
Law & Courts in Developing Democracies
War Crimes Trials
Art of Trial Law
Jurisprudence
Judges, Ethics & Politics
Philosophy of Law (aka Nature of the Law)
Law & Economics [Econ]
Law & Markets
Legal Implications of the Drug Trade
Life & Death Decisions Under Law
Law & Medicine
Racial Equality and the U.S. Supreme Court
Gender Equality and the Law
Law, Colonialism & Nationalism [Anthro]
Law Forum Seminar (I)
Additional Opportunities for Law Forum Members (optional: by permission)
Law Forum Paper Presenter
Advocacy Alumni: Guest Judge or Exhibition Debater
1
Please note that the overall Social Sciences GPA is not the same as the overall UCI GPA. Calculate this figure by
referring only to coursework within the School of Social Sciences (Political Science, Economics, Social Science,
Sociology, Anthropology, Chicano/Latino Studies, Logic & Philosophy of Science, Cognitive Science, etc.).
2
Enrollment priority for "Law & Society (171AW)" is available when course is offered annually by the Law Forum
Director (Sellgren). The course may be offered by other instructors under general admission (i.e., no Forum priority).
Law Forum priority is always available for "Advocacy," "Law Forum Seminar (II)" and "Law in the 21st Century."
3
There is no substitute for the "Advocacy" course. It may be offered only once each year, so please make this
course a scheduling priority when it is available.
4
The "Law & Society (171AW)" research/writing course can be replaced by any one of the following: 10+ page
legal research paper through independent study, 10+ page law-related paper through an upper division writing
course, or 10+ page law-related honors thesis chapter. Contact the Law Forum Director for advance topic approval.
5
There is no substitute for the "Law Forum Seminar (II)" course. It may be offered only once each year, so please
make this course a scheduling priority when it is available.
6
The "Law in the 21st Century" course can be replaced by the "Ethical Leadership (SocSci 181A)" course. Each
course is offered no more than once each year, so please plan your schedule accordingly.
7
In rare cases, another upper division law course may be used to replace one of these three elective courses. Please
submit a cover note and copy of the course syllabus to the Law Forum Director to inquire about this option.
(Courses used to satisfy your "required courses" category cannot be used for this purpose.)