Law, Religion and Politics, Minor
This interdisciplinary minor in law, religion and politics is unique to Saint Louis University.
In it, SLU students analyze and compare legal norms, theory and practice within religious traditions and in legal systems. They gain a theologically and historically grounded understanding of concepts of human dignity and justice that should be respected and promoted within systems of law and political structures. They consider how laws and political structures can exercise equity toward all members of a community. They develop strong skills in analysis and oral argumentation and real-world experience through an internship.
Curriculum Overview
SLU's minor in law, religion and politics requires 18 credits in courses from political science, theological studies, and other departments. All courses are marked with a "Law, Religion, & Politics" attribute. No more than nine credits may be taken in any one department. The minor includes a 4xxx-level seminar and an internship. It is open to all students but is easily joined with the Pre-Law Scholars Program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Theological Studies Course | ||
| Choose one course from the following: | 3 | |
THEO 3350 | Justice and Peace: The Legal Imagination in Christianity | |
THEO 3750 | Creativity and Constraint: The Legal Imagination in Judaism | |
| Political Science Course | ||
| Choose one course from the following: | 3 | |
POLS 2710 | Theories of Justice | |
POLS 3130 | Civil Liberties and Civil Rights | |
| Law, Religion, & Politics Electives | ||
| Choose 6 credits of courses with Law, Religion, & Politics attribute. Examples include: | 6 | |
ASTD 2400 | Immigration in U.S. History and Culture | |
ASTD 3400 | American Incarceration | |
HIST 3120 | French Revolution and Napoleon, 1789-1815 | |
PLS 1000 | Introduction to Law | |
PHIL 3430 | Philosophy of Law | |
POLS 2691 | Theory and Practice of Human Rights | |
POLS 3640 | International Law | |
POLS 3760 | The Politics of Pope Francis | |
RUSS 3360 | In Prisons Dark: Confinement Literature in the Russian and Soviet Empires | |
THEO 3510 | Faith and Politics | |
THEO 3540 | Incarceration and Incarnation: Prisons and Christian Ethics | |
| Internship | 3 | |
POLS 3912 | Public Service Internship | |
POLS 3915 | Legal Internship | |
PLS 4910 | Legal Internship | |
| Law, Religion, & Politics Seminar | ||
| Choose a 3-credit seminar with Law, Religion, & Politics Seminar attribute (typically in THEO or POLS) | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Continuation Standards
Students in the law, religion and politics minor must maintain a 2.00 grade point average (GPA) in required coursework.