Department Profiles: Educating through experience

Because Pre-Law students can select from a wide range of majors, a variety of courses in several departments can provide a solid intellectual foundation for future law-school applicants. Below you will find brief profiles of selected departments that can either provide courses to enhance your studies or offer an ideal major for your intentions.

Classical Studies
Classical studies combines a study of Greek or Latin with elements of history, archaeology, philosophy and literature in order to understand the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome. An understanding of cultural, philosophical and historical foundations of many contemporary societies is a strong background for law applicants, and it is a recommended major for those applying to law school.
www.dickinson.edu/departments/clst

Economics
Economics teaches students to think creatively about and apply theory to many issues, like economic growth, social justice and power, cultural values and individual freedoms. Law applicants will benefit from acquired analytical abilities and knowledge about contracts, property, torts and the legal process provided by the study of economics.
www.dickinson.edu/departments/econ

English
The study of English literature acquaints students with different methods of interpretation, including close reading and the use of various theoretical contexts such as historical, psychological, economic, cultural, biographical and political theories. Those applying to law school will be interested in understanding rhetoric and language and becoming independent critical readers and writers.
www.dickinson.edu/departments/engl

Foreign language, International Business & Management and International Studies departments
The study of foreign languages, international business & management or international studies affords students an in-depth understanding of foreign cultures and the skills needed to operate professionally within those contexts. Those interested in aspects of international law or corporate law for multinational companies will be bolstered by these interdisciplinary fields of study.

Languages taught at Dickinson: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian, Spanish
www.dickinson.edu/departments/intst
www.dickinson.edu/departments/ibandm

History
The Department of History offers courses that cover a multitude of historical periods and locations. Students develop research and analytical skills that would be useful to prospective law-school applicants.
www.dickinson.edu/departments/hist

Philosophy
Philosophy is in many ways an ideal area of study for those intending to study law, and it is another recommended major. Studying philosophy allows students to understand and investigate fundamental questions pertinent to every society in history in a way that crosses academic boundaries. Students make the transition from critiquing philosophical texts and ideas to posing and contemplating their own questions.
www.dickinson.edu/departments/philo

Political Science, Law and Policy and Policy Management departments
These departments incorporate studies of political and legal theory in order to understand their real-world applications. Students gain analytical, writing and complex problem-solving skills.
www.dickinson.edu/departments/polsc
www.dickinson.edu/departments/law/policy

Science departments
The sciences offer students a variety of options for developing theoretical and hands-on skills for scientific research. Prospective law-school applicants interested in patent or pharmaceutical law may benefit from a strong science background.

Sciences taught at Dickinson: biochemistry and molecular biology, biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, environmental studies, geology, math, neuroscience, physics

Sociology
Sociology students examine social constructs that people and cultures create in order to understand the relationship between the individual and the world. Students interested in a legal future related to nonprofit organizations may benefit from a background in sociology.
www.dickinson.edu/departments/socio

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