The Law and Society major is designed to enhance students’ knowledge of politics, policy, governance, and government ranging from a global to a local perspective. It will help them become knowledgeable citizens capable of reasoned judgments on political issues and ideas.
Major Requirements
LWS Courses That Meet General Education Requirements
Each of the following LWS courses can count toward your major requirements and toward your General Education requirements:
U.S. Experience: POL 101 (LWS prerequisite)
Individual & Society: SOC 101 (LWS prerequisite)
College Option 300 level justice: ANT 315, LLS 322, PHI 302, PHI 317, POL 318, POL 320.
Major Advising in Fall/Spring
Law and Society (LWS) major advising can be done in-person or virtually during the Fall 2023 semester. Please have a copy of both your CUNYfirst unofficial transcript and your Degree Audit on hand to prepare for your appointment. The Law and Society major has a brand new email specifically for LWS advising questions: lwsadvising@jjay.cuny.edu
LWS major advisor(s):
Professor Jean Carmalt
Professor Jamie Longazel
You can also schedule appointments with academic advisors using Navigate; be sure to select “Department of Political Science” to see available appointments with the major’s faculty and academic advisors. Advising, resources, student opportunities, and other information can be found at the Political Science Department homepage.
Schedule an advising appointment with Tatyanna through Navigate EAB: https://jjay-cuny.campus.eab.com/pal/23EkQlwBV9. Law and Society majors may also email Tatyanna (tarobinson@jjay.cuny.edu) with any questions!
Major Advising in Summer/Winter
All Law & Society majors can email poladvising@jjay.cuny.edu for advising during the Summer 2023 session.
Law & Society majors may receive both general advisement and major advisement from Tatyanna Robinson. Schedule an advising appointment with Tatyanna through Navigate EAB: https://jjay-cuny.campus.eab.com/pal/23EkQlwBV9. Law and Society majors may also email Tatyanna (tarobinson@jjay.cuny.edu) with any questions!
Registration and Major Holds
Sophomores with 45-59 credits may have a major hold placed on their registration. The hold will be removed when they have an appointment with a Law and Society major advisor. This meeting will encourage wise planning and allow students to ask any questions they may have about the major. Students must bring a copy of their current transcript (unofficial is fine) and most recent degree audit. How do you know if you have a major hold? Go to CUNYfirst and complete the following steps:
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Check the Holds box of your CUNYfirst Student Center. If "Advisement Required" appears, click on “details.”
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Click on “Advisement Required.”
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See which type of advisement you need. If you must see a major advisor, then make a major advising appointment following the steps preferred by this department.
Avoid Course Planning Mistakes!
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There are many 200/300/400 level Political Science course options in this major, so it is important to complete the POL 101 prerequisite as soon as possible.
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Many 300 level major course options require junior standing (at least 60 credits earned).
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Part Three of the major requires that you complete TWO 300-level courses. One of the 300-level courses must be from Category A (POL 301 or POL 308). The second 300-level course can be fulfilled with either a Category B class (ANT 315 or POL 320) or a Category C class (SOC 302).
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If you are interested in pursuing an internship that can also give you credit towards the major, consult early with a major advisor about internship options and see if one of them would be a good fit for your interests and goals.
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Transfer students should plan to take LWS 200 as soon as possible upon enrolling at John Jay.
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Remember that you will need at least a 2.0 in the major and at least an overall 2.0 GPA to graduate.
Monitor Your Progress in the Major (Major Checklist, Sample 4 yr Plan)
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DegreeWorks degree audit - Use this online planning tool to track your overall progress toward graduation. You will see which of your general education and major requirements are completed, in progress, or still needed. Refer to the DegreeWorks FAQs to better understand how to use this helpful tool. Note: be sure to confirm the accuracy of your degree audit with a general advisor and major advisor.
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Law and Society Major Checklist - Fill out this printable worksheet to keep track of which major requirements you have completed and which ones you still need.
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Sample Four Year Plan - See an example of how you could complete all your degree requirements (major, general education, electives) and graduate in four years! Remember that this sample plan shows just one possible way to combine your requirements. Transfer students in particular should work with advisors to determine a plan that works best for them.
Meet with a General Academic Advisor
A General Academic Advisor will confirm what general academic requirements you still need, make suggestions about smart course planning that will help you graduate without delays, discuss your interest in adding a minor or second major, inform you about opportunities such as study abroad, discuss general questions and concerns, and make helpful referrals. Visit the Academic Advisement Center's webpage for more information.