The Center for Legal Studies at Northwestern University provides an environment where students and scholars study legal issues using the methodology and perspectives of the social sciences and humanities. We view law as a social institution and seek to understand it through historical, cultural, and empirical approaches. Our students are well trained to become active and thoughtful citizens engaged with local and global questions of power and justice and with the role of law in everyday life.
Legal Studies offers programming for graduate students whose interests include the study of law, legal institutions, and/or legal processes broadly construed. We encourage participation from graduate students in all social science and humanities disciplines. Join our current Graduate Fellows in Legal Studies (GFILS) by applying here.
In addition to our Core Faculty the Center for Legal Studies is composed of a strong list of Faculty Affiliates - members of the academic community whose teaching and research contribute to Legal Studies at Northwestern.
Take a look at the Fall 2022 Legal Studies course offerings. Legal Studies 206 will be offered in the summer. Click on the link for more information on Summer Session.
Office hours are available remotely and in-person. You may contact the faculty or staff member you wish to meet with by email to schedule an appointment. If you have immediate questions you may call 847-467-2207 or send an email to: legalstudies@northwestern.edu.
On May 12 Professor Justin Simard joined us as our 2022 speaker for the Law in Motion Lecture. His topic, "Uncovering the Precedential Weight of Slavery", focused on the practice of citing slave laws to argue modern cases. Unfortunately, the internet connection was lost a half-hour into the talk. but we've posted the partial recording for you to view. To watch, you may click on the link above.
There are no upcoming events at this time
