LEGAL STUDIES: SOCIAL SCIENCE OPTION
Associate in Arts History · Cuesta College · 2026-2027 Catalog
DESCRIPTION
The Legal Studies Degree Program seeks to introduce the student to the field of legal studies along with its connection to and influence over closely related areas in the social sciences and business. The Legal Studies Degree Program emphasizes not only the nature of law and legal institutions, but the impact law and legal institutions have on politics, government, business, economics, different social groups, and society as a whole.
ASSOCIATE DEGREES
The Legal Studies Degree Program is designed to be an interdisciplinary program where the student, along with acquiring an introduction to the field of legal studies, may choose between the Legal Studies Business Emphasis Associate of Arts (AA) degree and the Legal Studies Social Science Emphasis Associate of Arts (AA) degree. Required and elective units in either the Business Emphasis path or the Social Science Emphasis path must be successfully completed along with the general education coursework required by Cuesta College in order to receive a Legal Studies AA degree from Cuesta College.
TRANSFER AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
A legal studies degree is an excellent first step for students considering law school or other post-baccalaureate programs in the social sciences or business.
With regard to career opportunities, a legal studies degree would help prepare students for eventual employment in such fields as law (law offices and other legal service providers), politics, government, and business (such as banking, finance, insurance, real estate, and corporate legal departments).
Learning Outcome(s):
- Identify different sources and types of law and how law is created, changed, and classified.
- Recognize different theoretical perspectives on the law and functions law serves in society.
- Describe the legal decision-making process used to analyze and decide legal cases.
- Recognize the impact that law and legal institutions have on political and governmental institutions.
- Discuss the impact that law and legal institutions have on different social groups and society as a whole
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses (13 credits) | 13 | |
| BUS 218 | BUSINESS LAW | 4 |
| LGL 217 | INTRODUCTION TO LAW | 3 |
| POLS C1000 | AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS | 3 |
| SOC 201A | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY | 3 |
| Plus 6-7 credits from the following: | 6-7 | |
| ANTH 203 | CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY | 3 |
| ECON C2001 | PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS | 3 |
| ECON C2002 | PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS | 3 |
| HIST 203A | HISTORY OF WORLD CIVILIZATIONS | 3 |
| HIST 203B | HISTORY OF WORLD CIVILIZATIONS | 3 |
| HIST 204A | HISTORY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION | 3 |
| HIST 204B | HISTORY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION | 3 |
| HIST C1001 | UNITED STATES HISTORY TO 1877 | 3 |
| HIST C1002 | UNITED STATES HISTORY SINCE 1865 | 3 |
| PHIL 208 | CRITICAL REASONING AND WRITING | 3 |
| PHIL 213 | PHILOSOPHICAL CLASSICS IN ETHICS AND SOCIAL PHILOSOPHY | 3 |
| PLGL 220 | LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING | 4 |
| POLS 201 | INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE | 3 |
| POLS 206 | COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT | 3 |
| POLS 209 | INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THEORY | 3 |
| Total | 19-20 | |