Cluster focus

The Law, Society and Justice Cluster has been instrumental in reinvigorating undergraduate programs related to legal studies. The cluster draws upon the insights from many fields to examine issues such as: the role law plays in societies, the nature of legal reasoning and the success or failure of law as a form of social control. These issues have assumed new urgency as modern societies grapple with matters ranging from how best to deal with criminal behavior to developing policies in areas as diverse as social services, health care, business, labor, telecommunications and education. In these and many other arenas, policy is generally articulated by law and developed and played out in the legal system.

Cluster accomplishments

  • The Center for Law, Society and Justice has two tracks for undergraduate students: The Legal Studies Program, which produces more graduates than any other cluster program; and the Criminal Justice Certificate Program, which prepares students to work in the criminal and juvenile justice system through a required internship.
  • The Center for Law, Society and Justice was awarded the Harris Grant by the College of Letters and Science. This award helps the center bring renowned legal scholars to campus to give lectures and presentations, allowing students and faculty wide exposure to the many legal-studies issues. The grant also allows undergraduates to work as research assistants for nationally renowned legal-studies faculty.
  • The Center for Law, Society and Justice will soon offer a distinguished award for its top graduate.
  • The Wisconsin Legal Studies Program is an active member of a national colloquium of legal-studies programs. The program is so well-known that it was asked by the U.S. Air Force Academy to help develop a new legal-studies program.

Cluster structure

The Law, Society and Justice Cluster faculty work with many distinguished affiliated faculty members at the Center for Law, Society and Justice. The cluster faculty also are instrumental in designing the curriculum of the legal studies program. Each legal-studies faculty member teaches at least one course a year specific to the legal-studies program, one course in his or her home department, and two courses that are often cross-listed between legal studies and home departments. The center works closely with the Institute for Legal Studies housed in the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Cluster coordinator, faculty and lead dean

Cluster Coordinator

Cluster Faculty

Lead Dean