Columbus School of Law

 
  Institutes and Special Programs >  Program of Studies in Jurisprudence

A certificate is awarded to J.D. students successfully completing a rigorous array of specialized courses, experiential learning, and research and writing within the certificate program. This program provides a formalized and structured framework for the study of theoretical perspectives on law and legal systems. Its multidisciplinary character orients students to perspectives in the philosophy of law, comparative law, history of law, and studies in law and religion. Students are strongly encouraged to apply to the certificate program concurrently with their application to the law school. It is recognized that students may choose to join after their first year, and therefore day students are permitted to join by the beginning of the second semester of their second year, and evening students are permitted to join by the beginning of the second semester of their third year. Applications are considered on a rolling basis and applicants are notified of their status by e-mail.

Students completing the program are required to complete two mandatory courses: Jurisprudence: The History of the Idea of Law; and Jurisprudential Problems in Contemporary American Law, as well as four elective courses specified as follows: 1) one course in either comparative and international law or history of law; 2) two courses selected from the law school’s general course offerings or directed research opportunities, featuring in each case a demonstrable theoretical or jurisprudential component; and 3) one course taken by cross-registration in an allied discipline taught in another school or department on campus. In addition, certificate students must complete a comprehensive capstone research and writing project on a topic in jurisprudence, either in satisfaction of the course requirements of Jurisprudential Perspectives on Contemporary Problems in American Law or a qualifying directed-research project. Upon completing this capstone paper, the student will present his or her findings at a seminar gathering of his or her peers. The paper satisfies half of the law school’s general writing requirement (see Academic Rule X). Certificate students must also complete an externship aimed at deepening understanding of the role of theoretical perspectives in law and policy discussion. Students participating in the program must attend in toto at least four hours of relevant extracurricular lectures in jurisprudence. At the beginning of each fall semester, newly admitted certificate students attend a mandatory orientation workshop, and, in individual consultation with the program director, develop a detailed plan for completion of certificate requirements tailored to the student’s individual interests and needs. Each student will participate in an exit interview with the director upon completion of the program. For more information, contact the program director, Professor William J. Wagner, or the Office of Institutes and Special Programs.