Law and Society

The law and society major offers an interdisciplinary focus and includes the study of such fields as political science, sociology and philosophy. It is a unique and distinctive program among American colleges. This major helps students understand the role and importance that laws and social institutions play in their lives. Students can choose to focus on one of three areas of study:

Government, law and the political process;
Social and political justice;
The historical and political foundations of law.

Students learn to present and defend their ideas and discover how to solve problems creatively and effectively. The liberal arts education, practical knowledge and hands-on experience acquired at Hood enables our graduates to succeed in law school, advanced studies or employment in a variety of law-related careers.

While the major can be used as preparation for law school, it is not intended solely as a pre-law program. However, students pursuing this program are well prepared for law and graduate school in a variety of fields. Classes use case study books and require extensive study and writing. The law and society major also offers excellent preparation for careers such as court services, corrections, advocacy, affirmative action, law enforcement, civil rights organizations, all levels of government service and public policy.

Real-World Experience

Hood Law and Society majors regularly visit the U.S. Supreme Court to hear oral arguments on important constitutional issues and participate in a yearly Moot Court model. Students also attend congressional hearings on Capitol Hill and participate in first-hand research initiatives in the community.

Through Hood's Washington Semester Program, students can study justice at American University, where Supreme Court justices and other high-ranking leaders regularly participate in seminars and lectures. Students may choose to focus on topics such as justice, public law, foreign policy or a number of related fields. They take one course at American University and complete an extensive internship program. The Washington Semester is typically completed during junior or senior year, and students live at The American University while participating in this program.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the many study abroad opportunities available through Hood College. The most popular programs take students to South Korea, South Africa, Spain and France.

The ability to live and study in another country provides a life-changing experience, and the perspectives gained will help students regardless of their future career or graduate school plans.

Required Courses

The law and society major requires the completion of 30 credits, including the following courses:

LW/PS 230 Introduction to Law
SCI 205 Methods of Political Inquiry or
SOC 260 The Philosophy and Methods of Social Research
PSCI 333 Modern Political Thought or
PSCI 206 Theories of Democracy
PSCI 307 American Constitutional Law
SOC 101 Principles of Sociology
SOC 330 Sociology of Law
LWSC 470 Seminar in Law and Society
PHIL 207 Logic

Internships

Hood students are encouraged to complete internships to help prepare them for career and graduate school opportunities. Hood's location—less than an hour from the nation's capital, the state capital of Maryland, and in the county seat of Frederick County—provides many outstanding options for real-world experience.

Law and society students have interned at such locations as:

American Civil Liberties Union
American Red Cross
Center for Policy Alternatives
Children's Defense Fund
Frederick County Commission for Women
Frederick County Sheriff's Office
Maryland State's Attorney's Office
Montgomery County Department of Police
National Organization for Women
Private practice attorneys
State of Maryland Division for Parole and Probation
State of Maryland Public Defender's Office
Victim-Witness Advocates Program

Alumnae and Alumni Success Stories

Graduates of Hood's program have attended law schools at the following institutions:

Benjamin Cardoza University
College of William and Mary
Georgetown University
The American University
The Catholic University of America
University of Florida
University of Maryland
University of Pittsburgh

A sample of the job listings for law and society graduates shows that they hold a variety of positions, including:

Assistant legal counsel, National Security Agency
Assistant staff judge advocate, U.S. Air Force
Assistant state's attorney, Frederick County
Associate judge, Frederick County (Maryland)
Circuit court judge, Washington County (Maryland)
Attorney, Department of Defense
Attorney, Department of Justice
Attorneys in private practice
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Trial attorney, Legal Aid Society

Faculty Contact

For more information about the law and society major at Hood College, contact:
Janice Judson, Ph.D., associate professor of political science and director of the program.

For complete information in our online catalog, click here.

Academics.