Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Philosophy BA/Law JD


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Course Requirements


One Metaphysics and Epistemology course (3 credits)


Six Philosophy Electives (18 credits)


  • Six PHI courses, four of which must be at the 300/400 level.
  • UB Seminar courses (198/199) are excluded.

JD First Year Requirements (32 credits)


  • LAW 509 - Torts Credits: 4
  • LAW 501 - Civil Procedure Credits: 4
  • LAW 507 - Property Credits: 4
  • LAW 515 - Legal Analysis, Writing and Research I Credits: 4
  • LAW 503 - Contracts Credits: 4
  • LAW 505 - Criminal Law Credits: 4
  • LAW 511 - Constitutional Law Credits: 4
  • LAW 516 - Legal Analysis, Writing and Research II Credits: 3
  • LAW 500 - Professional Identity Credits: 1

JD Second and Third Year Requirements (58 credits)


  • LAW 564 - Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility Credits: 3
  • LAW Experiential Course(s) (6 Credits)
  • LAW Seminar Course (3 Credits)
  • LAW Research/Writing-intensive Course (3 credits) 
  • LAW electives at the 500-level or above (43 credits)

Experiential Course Options


  • LAW 523 - Judicial Externship
  • LAW 567 - Lawyers as Change Agents
  • LAW 637 - Corporate Negotiations
  • LAW 686 - Attorney for the Child
  • LAW 817 - International Arbitration

Seminar Course Options


  • LAW 639 - 9th Amendment
  • LAW 695 - Land Use Planning
  • LAW 822 - Gender, Sexuality, and Law

Research/Writing Course Options


  • LAW 722 - Intensive Research & Writing Sports Law
  • LAW 762 - Adv Topics in Law & Society
  • LAW 956 - Introduction to Appellate Advocacy

Total Credits Required for Undergraduate Major: 33-34


Additional Undergraduate Degree Requirements Include:


  • Additional coursework to fulfill UB Curriculum requirements.
  • 16-17 undergraduate elective credits.

Total Undergraduate Credits Required: 90


Total Credits Required for Graduate Degree: 90


Total Credits Required for Graduation: 180


Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program, and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This should not be used for financial aid purposes.

Program Honors and Program Distinction


A student in the Philosophy major is eligible for Program Distinction or Program Honors upon degree conferral if the criteria are met.  Criteria are found under Academic Honors in the Academic Policy and Procedure section of this Catalog. Students who successfully complete the honors program and meet the criteria will have the appropriate notation on their official transcript. Program Distinction is also noted on the official transcript.

Curricular Plan


A Curricular Plan provides a roadmap for completing this academic program and the UB Curriculum on time. Your actual plan may vary depending on point of entry to the university, course placement and/or waivers based on standardized test scores, earned alternative credit and/or college transfer credit.

First Year Fall


Total Credits: 15-16


First Year Spring


Total Credits: 15-16


Second Year Fall


  • Math and Quantitative Reasoning Credits: 4
  • Logic PHI course Credits: 3
  • Scientific Literacy 1 Credits: 3
  • Pathway Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 2

Total Credits: 15


Second Year Spring


  • Scientific Literacy 2 Credits: 3
  • Scientific Literacy Lab Credits: 1
  • History of Philosophy course Credits: 3
  • PHI Elective Credits: 3
  • PHI Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 16


Third Year Fall


  • PHI 300/400 level Elective Credits: 3
  • PHI 300/400 level Elective Credits: 3
  • Metaphysics and Epistemology course Credits: 3
  • History of Philosophy course Credits: 3
  • Communication Literacy 2 Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15


Third Year Spring


Total Credits: 13


First Year JD Fall


  • LAW 515LEC - Legal Analys, Writing and Res I Credits: 4
  • LAW 501LEC - Civil Procedure Credits: 4
  • LAW 509LEC - Torts Credits: 4
  • LAW 507LEC - Property Credits: 4
  • LAW 500TUT- Professional Identity Credits: 0

Total Credits: 16


First Year JD Spring


  • LAW 505LEC - Criminal Law Credits: 4
  • LAW 503LEC - Contracts Credits: 4
  • LAW 511LEC - Constitutional Law 1 Credits: 4
  • LAW 516LEC - Legal Analys, Writing and Res II Credits: 3
  • LAW 500TUT - Professional Identity Credits: 1

Total Credits: 16


Second and Third Year JD


  • LAW 564LEC - Legal Ethics and Pro Respon Credits: 3
  • LAW Experiential Elective Credits: 6
  • LAW Seminar Elective Credits: 3
  • LAW Research Writing Elective Credits: 3
  • LAW 500+ Electives Credits: 43

Total Credits: 58


Total Credits Required: 180


Note: Some classes may count toward both a major and UB Curriculum requirement.

Learning Outcomes


Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge of:

  • Identifying, analyzing, and comparing different positions in ethics, philosophy, and law.
  • Identify relevant legal and factual issues; undertake legal research; and employ these skills in legal analysis, reasoning, and problem solving.
    • Develop the ability to apply reasoning in the analysis of a wide range of philosophical, political, and legal issues and problems.
    • Engage in theoretical interpretation of philosophy, social, and legal ideas and phenomena.
  • Communicate proficiently in both written and oral form.
    • Develop critical reading, thinking and writing skills to intellectually communicate ideas and research findings about legal topics.
    • Develop the ability to effectively construct and evaluate arguments for and against competing claims.
    • Present a predictive analysis and a persuasive argument orally.
  • Fulfill professional values and ethical responsibilities to clients, the legal system, and the public.
  • Apply professional skills needed for competent and ethical participation as a member of the legal profession in the appropriate cultural and social context.

 

(HEGIS: 15.09 PHILOSOPHY, CIP38.0101 Philosophy)

 

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