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 Spring 2021 Legal Studies course options. You can also browse the long list of approved Spring 2021 Legal Studies electives as well!
Major Applications
Legal Studies Major Applications are now closed for the year. Thank you for your interest! Applications will be open again in early Winter 2022!
In response to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak, the Legal Studies faculty and staff are holding remote office hours. Please don't hesitate to reach out for assistance by calling 847-467-2207 or by emailing legalstudies@northwestern.edu.
Many congratulations to our very own Abigail Roston for earning her spot as a 2021 Truman Scholar!
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM, Online
Join the Center for Legal Studies for our annual Law in Motion Lecture with guest speaker Dean Spade. May 13, 2021, 4:00 pm Central Fig...
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Online
The Global Lunchbox is a weekly conversation convened by the Weinberg College Center for International and Area Studies that features c...
