About the LDJ Concentration

The Law, Diversity & Justice Concentration is an interdisciplinary degree program offered through Fairhaven College's Center for Law, Diversity & Justice (CLDJ). The LDJ Concentration is designed to increase the number of people from underrepresented groups seeking careers in law and social justice. All Fairhaven College students have the opportunity to pursue the LDJ Concentration. Through the Concentration Seminar (FAIR 303a), students combine the LDJ Core Curriculum with courses from throughout the University to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for success in law school and other careers involving justice work.

 

Courses

With faculty guidance, students combine the LDJ course work with Western Washington University courses.  The LDJ Concentration develops the skills and knowledge necessary for success in law school and other careers in advocacy.

 

Required course work:

• FAIR 211b THE AMERICAN LEGAL SYSTEM (5) - usually offered Spring Quarter. Study of the American legal system, its structure, and how it affects individuals and society.
• FAIR 393b RIGHTS, LIBERTIES AND JUSTICE IN AMERICA (4) - usually offered Spring Quarter. Study of American ideas of rights and liberties; current issues in civil liberties and justice; and/or FAIR 336b
• FAIR 336a Topics in Social Science: INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS (5) - usually offered Spring Quarter. Introduction to the study of international human rights law from an interdisciplinary perspective.
• FAIR 412e ADVANCED TOPICS IN LAW (2-5) - offered Fall 2009. Investigation of an area of the law using a law school class format and texts; Repeatable with different topics.
  
• FAIR 422k ADVANCED LEGAL WRITING AND ANALYSIS (4) - usually offered Spring Quarter. Exploration of legal research techniques and persuasive legal writing forms.
  

 

Students pursuing the LDJ Concentration must satisfy the Fairhaven College Core Curriculum (as described in the WWU Catalog) including:

• FAIR 201a CRITICAL AND REFLECTIVE INQUIRY (5)
  
• FAIR 203a SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS AND RESPONSIBILITIES (5)
  
• FAIR 303a CONCENTRATION SEMINAR (5) Students design individual concentrations in Law, Diversity & Justice.
  

 

Core Curriculum >

 

Practica

The Center for Law, Diversity & Justice sponsors two practica:

 

• Court Watch
  The Whatcom County Court Watch's (WCCW) mission is to encourage equal treatment for victims of domestic violence while students and the community learn about the judicial system through observation. Students will attend the weekly practicum meetings on Wednesdays evenings as well as observe at least two hours of court at the Whatcom County courthouse weekly. This course will train student and community observers to watch protection order hearings and to provide useful feedback on judicial proceedings. This is a good class for anyone interested in how courts actually work (as opposed to what gets shown on TV), anyone considering a career in the legal field, and anyone interested in issues of domestic violence.

• Whatcom Civil Rights Project
  Founded in the fall of 2001, the Whatcom Civil Rights Project (WCRP) is a joint endeavor of LAW Advocates, the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force, and the Center for Law, Diversity & Justice of Fairhaven College, Western Washington University. Working in conjunction with a network of local attorneys, WCRP provides legal assistance and advocacy to victims of discrimination and civil rights abuse in Whatcom County. Trained students conduct intake interviews for the Whatcom Civil Rights Project in conjunction with volunteers from the Whatcom Human Rights Taskforce. After the intake interview, the students prepare a memo for the Attorney Review Panel that contains a concise summary of relevant facts and identifies possible legal claims. Students then present the case orally to the panel. The panel determines which cases are taken by an attorney.

About WCRP >