Student Learning Outcomes

At Hood College, we are committed to teaching excellence. Program goals and learning outcomes identify what we expect students to learn, think critically about and accomplish in their courses and programs of study at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. We believe an integrated learning approach that combines a strong grounding in the liberal arts with advanced study in the major and opportunities for internships and research initiatives is the best way to prepare students for lives of purpose and civic engagement.

Graduates earning a bachelor’s degree in law and criminal justice from Hood College:

Identify and explain the legal concepts, underlying theories and policy implications in both fields of the major through:

Acquiring extensive knowledge of domestic and/or international law and legal systems;
Conducting historical analysis of law and legal systems;
Explaining the differences between civil and criminal law; and
Understanding the differences between substantive law and procedural law.

Understand the role of case law and precedent in our legal system through:

Learning to distinguish fact or rule of law (ratio decidendi) from opinion (obiter dicta) in court cases;
Articulating the ethical implications of decision-making in the legal profession; and
Exploring the intersection between law and social justice.

Effectively prepare students for law school and employment in the law and criminal justice fields through:

Applying legal terminology/discourse to real world legal issues;
Identifying and articulating the legal issues in a factual scenario, distinguishing non-issues from bona fide legal issues;
Constructing an appellate argument demonstrating the ability to articulate legal precedents and effectively respond to questions posed by the Court; and
Demonstrating critical self-awareness in understanding the influence of personal bias when interacting with diverse groups.

Promote an-depth experience and advancement of law, legal institutions, and the rule of law through advanced research and scholarship through:

Learning the differences between qualitative and quantitative research methods to collect and analyze legal data, and
Examining the link between legal research, theory and practice.

Organize and deliver cogent and persuasive verbal and written skills through:

Framing legal briefs by presenting compelling accounts with relevant facts and clearly articulated arguments, and
Writing a memorandum foreseeing the probable judicial resolution of a legal dispute in a form that coincides to basic professional standards regarding analytical support, organization and style.

Student Learning Outcomes

Department of Law & Criminal Justice

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