The Department of Political Science offers the traditional major in Political Science (which has consistently been one of the largest majors in the School of Liberal Arts) and added the Law in Liberal Arts major just a few years ago. Since its introduction, the Law in Liberal Arts major has been a wonderful success story, growing faster than any other new major. Here we ask the architect of the major, Professor Erin Engels, about its origins and success.
Polisci Blog:
What’s it like having one of the most successful new majors in the School of Liberal Arts?
Prof. Engels:
Overwhelming! When we first designed the major, I hoped it would be popular. It was far exceeded my expectations for growth over the last 5 years. I developed all kinds of marketing plans and spend a lot of time talking about the major during year 1. Today, no marketing is required. The major sells itself.
Polisci Blog:
As the primary architect of the Law in Liberal Arts major, when did you start thinking about creating it?
Prof. Engels:
In 2008 I joined the paralegal program as the Associate Director of Paralegal Studies and as the pre law advisor. We had a lot of law options for students, but no straight-forward major. Everyone was joining minors and the paralegal certificate to try and create a major. Employers wanted the major, the law school wanted the major and students needed the major. When I took over as Paralegal Studies Director in 2010, I started work to create the major.
Polisci Blog:
Wow, so this has been percolating for a long time! How difficult was the process that you needed to go through in order to make it an “official” major here in the School of Liberal Arts?
Prof. Engels:
I started the major development in 2010 but it was not officially approved until 2015. I thought the process to create the major would take 18 months and it took over 4 years! I had to use all my lawyer and political science skills to work through the IU approval process. There was so much negotiation at all levels to “sell” the major. For example, the name Law in Liberal Arts was a product of negotiation. There were other IU programs who did not want us to use the name Legal Studies or Paralegal Studies. I came up with the name Law in Liberal Arts and it stuck.
Polisci Blog:
After just a few short years in existence, Law in Liberal Arts is already one of the largest single majors in the school. What, ultimately, do you hope students get out of the major?
Prof. Engels:
I don’t expect students to memorize all law but I want them to know how to find, understand and apply law. Whether the student goes to law school, works in a law firm or finds a home in human resources, the law is a common thread in so many jobs. Having a solid understanding of law and the knowledge to research additional areas of law are skills that apply to all industries.
Polisci Blog:
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and expanding the options for all our students here at IUPUI!
Erin Engels is Clinical Associate Professor of Political Science, Director of the Paralegal Studies Program, and Faculty Mentor for Pre-Law.
