Jurisprudence, Law and Justice Studies

The goal of the Jurisprudence, Law, and Justice Studies Program is to provide students with the analytical and empirical foundation to understand how the theory, practice, and meaning of law stimulates civic engagement.

About the Minor

In Hamilton’s Jurisprudence, Law, and Justice Studies Program, students engage in the study of the law through interdisciplinary coursework that emphasizes writing, speaking, and logical reasoning. They engage with the law through studying the Constitution, exploring free-speech issues, examining the psychological formation of attitudes toward lawbreakers, arguing legal cases, reading the writing of imprisoned people, understanding court procedures, and more.

A Sampling of Courses

Justice Laboratory: Experience and Observation

Students will work two 3 hour, half-day periods each week Requires discussion, journaling and a research paper that synthesizes various parts of the Justice Lab.

Explore these select courses:

A survey of the American judicial system. An examination of federal and state courts, and the structure of the American judicial system. Analysis of how courts interact with the public and other government institutions, and the influences on judicial decision-making. Topics also include judicial federalism, criminal and civil procedure, judicial activism, and judicial policy-making.

Analysis of constitutional doctrines through major cases. Function of the Supreme Court as an instrument of government and arbiter of public policy. Doctrines include judicial review, federalism, interstate commerce, due process and questions of individual rights.

Analysis of competing theories of the liberty of expression in the American context. Focuses primarily on contemporary political and legal disputes over such morally divisive issues as "hate speech," campus speech codes, pornography, media and Internet censorship, and the proper role of free speech in a democracy. Examination of the evolution of American constitutional law concerning freedom of expression.

Federal administrative activity gains the most attention when the federal government seemingly fails to meet the public’s expectations of good and efficient governance. Examples include the failure to prevent the 9/11 terrorist attacks, FEMA’s sluggish response to Hurricane Katrina, and the various crises facing the Department of Veterans Affairs. This course examines the politics of agency design, delegation, political oversight, and internal agency processes. We will discuss the structure and practices of the federal executive branch and potential reforms to help government work effectively

A general introduction to international law. Topics include the law of treaties, customary international law, human rights, international criminal law, the law of war, and the use of force. Focus on issues pertaining to the formation, interpretation, application, compliance with, and at times even enforcement of, international legal norms and rules.

Requirements

Meet Our Faculty

Keelah Williams

Associate Professor of Psychology; Director Jurisprudence, Law and Justice Studies

kewillia@hamilton.edu

law, stereotyping and prejudice, and evolutionary psychology

Frank Anechiarico

Maynard-Knox Professor of Law, Director of Public Policy

fanechia@hamilton.edu

Public administration, public ethics, and law and society

Doran Larson

Edward North Chair of Greek and Greek Literature and Professor of Literature and Creative Writing

dlarson@hamilton.edu

20th-century American literature; the history of the Anglo-American novel; fiction writing; nonfiction writing and prison writing of the U.S., South Africa, and Ireland

Ralph Eannace

Lecturer in Government

reannace@hamilton.edu

The Justice Lab

Formally started in 2020-21, The Arthur Levitt Public Affairs Center Justice Lab Program, seeks to pair the theoretical study of the legal system with the practical application of these concepts to dynamic, real world issues.

banner - Crafting Criminal Justice Reform — The Community-College Partnership for Racial and Criminal Justice Reform brings together academic, legal, and community leaders throughout the Mohawk Valley to discuss these issues.

Speaker Series

Law internship — Students completed an independent study detailing the interactions among law enforcement, the courts, and people with mental health issues in Oneida County.

Student Research

Utica NY aerial — Students deployed and analyzed a survey of residents of Herkimer and Oneida counties to understand perceptions of law enforcement and racial justice topics.

Public Opinion Polls

Careers After Hamilton

Hamilton graduates who minored in jurisprudence, law and justice studies courses are pursuing careers in a variety of fields, including:

Government Affairs Assistant, Direct Marketing Association
Paralegal, Federal Trade Commission

Explore Hamilton Stories

Phil Bean chats with students during his class on the history of Utica media.

The Levitt Justice Lab: A Program Built to Inspire

The Levitt (Center) Law & Justice Lab, a program designed for students interested in synthesizing perspectives on public policy issues, just concluded a semester focused on exploring policies affecting homelessness in Utica, N.Y. The experience was led by Professors Frank Anechiarico (government), Herman Lehman (biology), Philip Bean (history), and Gwendolyn Dordick (government).

Tatum Barclay ’22 to Study at Georgetown Law

Tatum Barclay ’22, a soon-to-be Georgetown Law student, has been inspired by the field of law since childhood. “I found my voice through oral speaking,” she recalled, “My passion for advocacy, conversation, and litigation stems from the hardships and triumphs of having dyslexia.”

Contact

Department Name

Jurisprudence, Law and Justice Studies Program

Contact Name

Keelah Williams, Program Director

Office Location

198 College Hill Road
Clinton, NY 13323

kewillia@hamilton.edu

Jurisprudence, Law and Justice Studies

About the Minor

A Sampling of Courses