Undergraduate Minor

What is the LPS Undergraduate Minor?

LPS, or Law, Policy and Society is an interdisciplinary program integrating the study of law with politics, criminal justice, economic analysis, sociology, philosophy, and history. Coursework will analyze the social, political and economic consequences of law, legal processes, and the impetus for legal change. In the LPS minor core courses, students will have the opportunity to watch a criminal and/or civil trial, participate in a moot court before a panel of "judges," and listen to speakers from both the public and private sector (for example, a superior court judge and assistant attorney general).

While the minor is well-suited for students interested in pursuing a career in law and/or policy, it is invaluable for students in any field of practice, as law effects all professions and facets of everyday life.

For more information LPS Minor Brochure

To declare the LPS minor. Just fill out the petition form below and bring it to 201 Holmes Hall for approval.

Minor Petition

Current Syllabi

CORE COURSES

LPSU201 Introduction to Law Fall_2006 is taught by Corey Denenberg Dehner, Esq. Ms. Dehner received her Juris Doctor, as well as a certificate for specialization in Environmental Law, from Boston College Law School and soon thereafter was admitted to the Massachusetts bar. She has done legal work for Alaska Legal Services in Ketchikan, Alaska; for the Natural Resources Council in Augusta, Maine and conducted ecological and conservation work in Botswana, Africa. Prior to coming to Northeastern University, Ms. Dehner taught Environmental Law and Policy at Boston College where her passion for teaching was solidified. She worked as a student attorney in the Government Bureau of the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General. After graduating from Boston College Law School Ms. Dehner clerked for the Judges of the Massachusetts Superior Court. Subsequently she practiced law in the Community Builders, Inc.'s General Counsel's office and has conducted pro bono work for both the Conservation Law Foundation and the Massachusetts' Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. In addition to teaching, Ms. Dehner is currently pursuing a Ph.D in the Northeastern University Law, Policy and Society program. Her area of expertise is environmental law and policy, more specifically water policy and environmental justice. Her current research focuses on the impact of nongovernmental organizations, particularly watershed associations, on the biological integrity of Massachusetts, rivers.

To contact Ms. Dehner, email her at c.dehner@neu.edu, or visit her in 202A Holmes Hall.

LPSU201 Introduction to Law Fall_2007 is taught by Liana Pennington. Liana received her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC. While in law school, Ms. Pennington represented indigent defendants in criminal cases in DC Superior Court. She also taught law to high school students as part of Georgetown's Street Law program and was active in the Juvenile Justice Clinic. Ms. Pennington is a member of the New Hampshire Bar Association and worked as an attorney at the New Hampshire Public Defender's Office. As a Public Defender, she represented adults and juveniles in a wide variety of misdemeanor and felony level criminal cases.

LPSU301 Introduction to Law, Policy and Society Fall 2006 is taught by Margaret Gram Crehan Esq. Gram is a second year graduate student and Instructor in Law, Policy, and Society at Northeastern University. Her work focuses on minority rights, social movements, and the interplay between law and social change. Her specific areas of interest include Same-Sex Marriage and Hate Crimes legislation.

To contact Ms. Crehan, email her at crehanmargaret@msn.com,205 Holmes Hall

ELECTIVES

LPS U302-Human Rights in the Global Economy

Course Description: Explores the implications of globalization on international human rights law. Analyzes numerous sources of international law, such as the universal declaration of human rights and the international covenant on economic, social, and cultural rights. Examines free trade and its impact on civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. Also explores the international mechanisms to resolve disputes and the impact of globalization on the rights of particular groups (e.g., women, children, and indigenous peoples).

LPS U303-Topics in Law, Policy, and Society

Spring 2008 topic: Environmental Law, Policy and Social Movements

Environmental law is not a stagnant entity, but is continually affected by the political, social and economic climate, both domestically and internationally. Throughout the semester students will be asked to contemplate such questions as, 'what is the point of environmental law', and 'is there a role for the citizen to further environmental protection'. This class is intended to increase awareness of the breadth of environmental law, the impetus for environmental protections and the active role citizens can play in the political, legal and societal decisions that impact their environment.

What are the requirements?

1) All students wishing to obtain a minor in Law, Policy and Society must have a B or better average.

2) The Law and Society Undergraduate Minor will introduce students to the field of Law, Policy and Society through the two core courses: *LPS U201: Introduction to Law *LPS U301: Law, Policy and Society

3) Students will take an additional three elective courses (one of which must be outside of your major area of study). Download the undergraduate minor brochure for a list of approved courses.