Gain a broad and interdisciplinary understanding of law in the Law and Society Program. From legal and political theory to environmental law, criminal law and prisons, the minor blends social science, environmental policy and humanities perspectives rarely seen at the undergraduate level.
Attend guest lectures on prison reform hosted by the Fisher Center for the Study of Gender and Justice or discover legal career opportunities in Washington D.C. during the Day on the Hill trip.
At Hobart and William Smith, learning goes beyond textbooks and classrooms. You’ll gain high-impact practical experience that deepens learning and opens doors.
Study the ethics of law in Ireland or property rights in Hong Kong.
Wherever you go, our top-ranked global education program will allow you to apply classroom knowledge, develop cultural understanding and build global connections that expand your personal capacity and sense of purpose.
The Law and Society Program explores facets of belonging, equity and diversity through different lenses:
Learn how law impacts the different aspects of our lives.
Study the relationship between law and society and how law frames our perception of issues such as ownership and value and the problems of objectivity in interpretation.
Examine the relationship between moral responsibility and criminal responsibility, study some perennial problems in ethical theory and explore which forms of behavior control are morally justifiable responses to which forms of social deviance.
Study of the basic law of contracts with emphasis on agency, negotiable instruments, property and more.
Thinking about law school? Work with a dedicated faculty advisor and a career counselor from the Salisbury Center for Career, Professional and Experiential Education to ensure your undergraduate experience aligns with your law school applications.
3+3 Accelerated Degree Program with Cornell University
HWS students can earn their bachelor’s degree at HWS and their law degree from Cornell University. The Law Early Admissions Program (LEAP) is a “3+3” joint degree framework that allows participating HWS students to complete their undergraduate and legal education in six years rather than the typical seven.
As a student, Edens developed the acumen to prepare him for the business world. After being elected by his peers, he served as a voting member of the Colleges’ Board of Trustees. He secured a position with UnitedHealth Group after graduation and has since moved to Mercer. As a Philosophy major and Law and Society minor, Edens says he learned to pay attention to “granular details” and then extrapolate how they are significant to a bigger picture. Edens reflects that his position on the Hobart basketball team taught him that "proper planning prevents poor performance, and that teamwork is essential for success. This has helped me work well in group settings where I am either a contributing role member or a leader."
