Accelerated Law Program Pre-Law Curriculum



Critical Judgment. Logical Reasoning. Specialized Learning.



The best undergraduate preparation for success with both LSAT testing and law school itself is a challenging pre-law program of study that develops comprehension skills, critical thinking and the precise expression of ideas. And that’s exactly the education you will experience at Lewis University.

Many of our pre-law students find it especially helpful to choose undergraduate studies in political science, philosophy of law, philosophy, criminal/social justice, English and history. Students with specific career interests that relate to the application of law in business, technology, science, research and so forth, are encouraged to choose majors or minors linked to those areas as well.

But this accelerated law program can apply to any undergraduate major. Therefore, there are no set courses required for admission into The John Marshall Law School. However, we do recommend certain Lewis University courses as excellent introductions to the study of law and its affiliated fields, as well as to prepare you for passing the LSAT.

These recommended courses include:

06-300 Writing for the Professions (3)
06-310 Advanced Writing (3)
09-323 The Emergence of Modern America, 1877-1941 (3)
09-325 United States Since 1941 (3)
09-381 History of England and Great Britain after 1450 (3)
10-242 Argumentation and Debate (3)
15-310 Philosophy of Law (3)
15-299 Logic (3)
18-200 American National Government (3)
18-210 State and Local Government (3)
18-371 Constitutional Law (3)
23-250 Business Law I for Accountants (3)
81-110 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3)
81-200 Court Systems and Probation (3)
81-430 Elements of Criminal Law (3)

Your pre-law advisor will help you determine appropriate coursework and degree/minor decisions based on your future career aspirations.

If you have any other questions, contact an admissions advisor at admissions@lewisu.edu or call (815) 836-5250.



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COURSE: 81-430 Elements of Criminal Law (3)
This course is a basic study of laws, codes and jurisdictions relating to crime. Special attention is given to landmark court decisions, Illinois’ criminal codes, relationships of social climate to enforcement of laws, historical trends and future directions. Prerequisite: 81-110 and 81-200.
COURSE: 81-200 Court Systems and Probation (3)
This course examines the historical and contemporary impact of the judicial process as the forefathers envisioned. The United States court system and its relationship to the criminal justice system are explored, along with the current system of probation in the United States. The organization and jurisdictions of the federal and state court systems are studied.
COURSE: 81-110 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3)
This course provides a study of the function and jurisdiction of various law enforcement agencies, as well as their historical development, significant court decisions and relationships with other agencies. Citizen groups and political administrations, technologies, personnel stratification and affirmative action are also considered.
COURSE: 23-250 Business Law I for Accountants (3)
Students are introduced to laws affecting businesses and individuals, with a focus on contracts (legality, formality and interpretation, nature and transfer, discharge, breach and remedies) and negotiable instruments (their use and significance). Offered: Fall
COURSE: 18-371 Constitutional Law (3)
Students study the theory of constitutionalism, the federal system, judicial review, the nature of legislative power, the Commerce Clause, federal regulatory power, executive power and constitutional construction. This course fulfills the advanced writing requirement. Offered: Fall, RMVL.
COURSE: 18-210 State and Local Government (3)
A review of the institutions, functions and operations of state and local government, this class takes a comparative approach, examining the similarities and differences of political institutions in the 50 states. Offered: Spring, RMVL.
COURSE: 18-200 American National Government (3)
A comprehensive survey of the basic premises, permanent institutions and policy making processes of the American national government is presented. Offered: Fall, RMVL.
COURSE: 15-299 Logic (3)
This course focuses on the main aspects of formal logic. It begins with a study of the basic functions of reasoning, language, and informal fallacies, followed by an investigation of symbolic logic, syllogisms, and induction.
Prerequisite: 15-110 Introduction to Philosophy or the consent of the instructor.
COURSE: 15-310 Philosophy of Law (3)
Students examine theories regarding the foundation of law and the distinction and relation between law and ethical norms. Competing theories of liberty, justice, responsibility and punishment are analyzed and compared to pertinent Supreme Court decisions. Prerequisite: 15-110 Introduction to Philosophy or the consent of the instructor.
COURSE: 10-242 Argumentation and Debate (3)
Students will learn how to defend or oppose positions through the use of research, analysis, logic, and to recognize common fallacies in reasoning. They will learn formal theory of argumentation and how it is used in politics, courts, organizations, and interpersonal relationships. The will learn to debate ethically in many contexts and to defend themselves from unethical tactics.
COURSE: 09-381 History of England and Great Britain after 1450 (3)
Students examine England and Great Britain as they emerged from civil wars, the Protestant Reformation and the absolute control of government by the monarch, causing it to rise as an economic, democratic and imperial power, as well as the monarch’s subsequent fall to its present condition.
COURSE: 09-325 United States Since 1941 (3)
Students examine contemporary U.S. social, economic and political history, with focus on the Cold War and its end, the Civil Rights movement and current issues.
COURSE: 09-323 The Emergence of Modern America, 1877-1941 (3)
This study of the United States from 1877 to 1941 focuses on the ways that industrialization reshaped American society and the ways that labor, Populist, Progressive, and New Deal reformers responded to those changes. The American Empire, the rise of segregation and the cultural impact of World War I are also explored.
COURSE: 06-310 Advanced Writing (3)
A study of, and extensive practice in, expository and persuasive writing for a variety of purposes and audiences are presented. This course satisfies the General Education requirement for advanced writing for English majors as well as for some other majors.
Prerequisite: 06-112.
COURSE: 06-300 Writing for the Professions (3)
This course provides study of communication as a professional skill, with extensive practice in the forms of written business communication.
Prerequisite: 06-112.