Politics and Public Law, BA/BS

Program Overview

Belmont University's Politics and Public Law program combines classroom learning with real-world experience to prepare students for law school and careers in law, government, and public policy. The interdisciplinary curriculum emphasizes qualitative and quantitative reasoning skills, and students benefit from small class sizes, highly qualified professors, and opportunities for research and internships. Graduates have successfully placed in prestigious law schools and secured positions at top organizations.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Combines classroom learning with real-world experience to prepare students for law school.
• Interdisciplinary, encompassing politics, business, and philosophy.
• Focuses on developing qualitative and quantitative reasoning skills.
• Small class sizes and highly qualified professors provide personalized attention and mentorship.
• Opportunities for research and internships in major political organizations.
• Successful placement of graduates in prestigious law schools like the University of Chicago, the University of Virginia, Cornell University, and Vanderbilt University.

Outline:

• Coursework: 128 hours
• BELL core requirements: 53 hours
• Major requirements: 49 hours (including 18 hours of electives)
• Minor requirements: Waived
• General electives: 26 hours
• Core Courses:
• PSC 1210 American Government
• PHI 1520 Ethics
• PSC 2200 American Political Institutions
• PSC 2300 International Relations
• PSC 2400 Comparative Politics
• PSC 2500 Political Theory
• PSC 2600 Social Scientific Methods
• PSC 4600 Research Seminar in Political Science
• PSC 3010 Internship
• PSC 3280/3290 American Constitutional Law I & II
• PSC 4320 International Law
• PSC 3210 State and Local Politics
• PSC 3250 Southern Politics
• PSC 3450 Politics of Europe
• PSC 3510 Foundations of Democracy
• PSC 3610 Game Theory and Public Choice
• SOC 2450 Law and Society
• SOC 3700 Criminal Justice
• SOC 3800 Criminology
• MGT 2410 Business Law I
• MGT 4220 Business Law II
• MGT 4310 Negotiation
• ACC 3350 Federal Income Taxes
• MBU 2520 Copyright Law
• MBU 3550 Music Industry Contract Law
• MDS 4100 Communication Law
• PUB 2500 Copyright and Publishing Law
• LGS 4010 Legal Writing
• Electives: Choose from a variety of other political science courses, or take electives in other subjects to personalize your degree.

Assessment:

• Traditional assessment methods like exams and papers are used.
• Emphasis on developing research and writing skills through major research projects and internships.
• Faculty provide individualized feedback and guidance to help students improve their skills.

Teaching:

• Small class sizes allow for active learning and personalized attention.
• Professors are highly qualified with extensive experience in research, teaching, and the legal field.
• Interactive teaching methods engage students in critical thinking and discussion.
• Regular feedback and guidance ensure student success.

Careers:

• Prepares students for a variety of careers in law, government, public policy, business, and international relations.
• Strong emphasis on developing the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in law school.
• Recent graduates have secured positions at prestigious organizations like the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. House of Representatives, and Fortune 500 companies.

Other:

• The program emphasizes experiential learning through internships and research opportunities.
• Students have access to a variety of resources, including the Political Science Resource Center and the Law Library.
• The program fosters a close-knit community among students and faculty.
• Belmont's location in Nashville, a major political and cultural center, provides students with unique opportunities to engage with the world around them.