Legal and Justice Studies Paralegal Studies International Relations Study of the Americas Change it.
SMALL IS BIG. Believe it or not, we are one of the top ten smallest colleges in the country. Our small size makes us big on being able to provide student-centered and individualized education. This means that careful faculty advising, student involvement in designing their program of study, small seminar-style classes, one-on-one mentoring, experiential learning, and narrative evaluations are all part of the rich learning experience at Burlington College. RANKED #1 MOST FREE-SPIRITED COLLEGE STUDENTS IN THE USA.* * Ranking is from The Daily Beast, a Newsweek publication. FOUR UNIQUE LEGAL AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES PROGRAMS Legal and Justice Studies (B.A.) This major offers understanding into how society does and does not work to support human endeavors and how engaged citizens can help shape their world. The degree program consists of courses in history, politics, law, economics, and the environment taught by professors, lawyers, and community activists. Study in this major leads to the acquisition of information essential to understand institutions and ideas that shape society, and to conserve or change it. The Legal and Justice Studies program acts as a Pre-law course of study in preparation for law school. The Legal and Justice Studies program prepares students for meaningful employment in law, politics, business, government, non-governmental organizations, mediation, and community agencies, environmental policy and community programs. The major also helps prepare students for law school or graduate school. Paralegal Studies Certificate This program provides students with a broad exposure to various areas of the law and provides them with paralegal skills. The Paralegal Certificate is an intensive program, designed to fulfill the needs of those who are interested in work related to the law, human services, government, or public policy, continuing their studies in the legal field. Students who complete the certificate most often find employment with legal firms, banks, real estate agencies, and business corporations. International Relations (B.A.) International Relations is the study of war and peace. When governments, nations, and people fail to discuss, debate, argue and diplomatically find peaceful resolutions to vexing problems, violence and war erupts. In this program you examine the international and grassroots initiatives, institutions and people-to-people exchanges that attempt to create peaceful contacts between the people of the world, based on mutual assistance and respect. Study of the Americas (B.A.) The Study of the Americas program is valuable for those who wish to examine and study the interdependent relationships between the history, economics, politics, and cultures of the Americas and the world. In this program, you will obtain an interdisciplinary education with an emphasis on the humanities, social sciences, and language. Students in this major often choose to pursue graduate programs and careers in diplomacy, and/or non-governmental organizations involved with humanitarian and international development. The Legal Clinic at Burlington College This free service is offered in association with the Vermont Bar Foundation, Law-line of Vermont, Women Helping Battered Women and the Caroline Fund. The clinic provides legal advice and services to local residents, many of whom have limited incomes that prevent them from being able to attain a private attorney. Students majoring in Legal and Justice work along-side a professional attorney in assisting local residents with their legal matters. SPEND AN ENTIRE SEMESTER OR JUST A J-TERM STUDYING IN HAVANA, CUBA. More details inside. Above: Burlington College students pause for a discussion at the entrance portico of the University of Havana.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degrees Professional Certificate Every student must complete the College s Liberal Arts Requirements and earn 120 credits to achieve the Bachelor of Fine Arts or Bachelor of Arts degree. Students explore broad areas of the liberal arts and may choose from a range of course options. Interdisciplinary courses may also be used, as designated, to satisfy these requirements. All students are required to complete an upper-level internship. Liberal Arts Requirements I Research and Reflection First-Year Seminar Complete 3 credits in each of the following areas: Creative Expression Cultural Awareness Historical Consciousness Media Literacy Quantitative Reasoning Responsible Action Scientific Thought Social Awareness Vermont is among America s smartest states.* Once students get to the Green Mountain State, they don t want to leave. B.A. in Legal and Justice Studies Entry Level Prerequisite: 3 credits Politics: The Art of the Possible and the Impossible Intermediate Level: 12 credits U.S. History: 1865 to the Present Electives (6 credits) Diversity and Inclusion Families in the 21st Century Great Ideas (when applicable) U.S. History: From 1865 to the Present Black America Legal Research and Writing Family Law and Family Court Criminal Law Legal Ethics: Theory and Practice The Creation of the New World Campaign Fever: The Race for Power Civic Scholar Seminar Upper Level: 24 credits Search and Research Electives (12 credits) Aging: Issues and Arguments Criminology Social Policy City in History Global Economics: History, Politics, and Social Forces from an Economic Perspective U.S. Foreign Policy Since 1898 Arts and Social Change Other approved course work B.A. in International Relations Entry Level Prerequisites: 6 credits I Entry Level: 9 credits International Institutions of War and Peace and Citizen Diplomacy Language Introduction to Conversational Spanish, Part I Introduction to Conversational Spanish, Part II Introduction to Conversational French, Part I Introduction to Conversational French, Part II 6 credits of other language coursework as approved by Program Director Intermediate Level: 12 credits Global Economics: History, Politics and Social Forces from an Economic Perspective Area Studies The Americas Travel and Learn: Francophone/Anglophone Comparison of Quebec Creation of the New World: A Society Unlike Any Other Caribbean Diversity and Inclusion Great Ideas: Exile Civic Scholar Seminar (as appropriate) U.S. History: From 1865 to the Present Upper Level: 24 credits U.S. Foreign Policy since 1898 Search and Research: Academic Writing Area Studies The Americas B.A. in Study of the Americas Entry Level Required: 6 credits IAS100-Introduction to Conversational Spanish, Part I IAS102-Introduction to Conversational Spanish, Part II IAS105-Introduction to Conversational French, Part I IAS106-Introduction to Conversational French, Part II Intermediate Level: 9 credits U. S. History: From 1865 to the Present Creation of the New World Comparative Law, Politics and Government Documentary Field School: Adirondacks Great Ideas (when applicable) Campaign Fever Civic Scholar (when applicable) Francophone/Anglophone Comparisons of Quebec Global Economics: History, Politics, and Social Forces from an Economic Perspective Sustainability and Urban Garden Project Black America: History and Culture Upper Level: 27 credits Search and Research Electives (15 credits) Community Development Cultural Encounters Campaign Fever City in History U.S. Foreign Policy since 1898 Total: 42 credits Paralegal Studies Certificate Entry Level Required: 6 credits Politics: The Art of the Possible and Impossible Intermediate Level: 21 credits Required (9 credits) Legal Research and Writing, History, and Politics Legal Ethics: Theory and Practice Electives (12 credits) Family Law and Court Criminal Law and Enforcement Civic Scholar Seminar (when applicable) Other learning activities, such as guided independent study or tutorials, may be arranged with the student s academic advisor. Internship: 3 credits Pro se Legal Clinic or Total: 30 credits Jared Carter Cuba Program Coordinator Community Faculty in Legal and Justice Studies B.A. Government and Astrophysics Connecticut College J.D. Vermont Law School Burlington was ranked the 2nd happiest and 4th healthiest place to live in the U.S. by Self magazine. And #2 on the Kiplinger list of 10 Great Places to Live in 2013. CUBA P R O G R A M 2007-2014 at Burlington College Jared is also currently the executive director of Rural Vermont where he focuses his legal work on civil liberties and consumer rights as well as agricultural policy. From 2009-2010 Jared served as a law clerk to Justices William Leaphart and Jim Rice at the Montana Supreme Court. In addition to his work as an educator and attorney, Jared involves himself in politics and civic engagement at the community level in both Montpelier and Burlington. He is an avid traveler, outdoors-person and amateur photographer. GET A CERTIFICATE IN PARALEGAL STUDIES The only Paralegal Certificate Program offered in Vermont. Total: 39 credits Caribbean Cultural Encounters Civic Scholar Seminar (as appropriate) Total: 45 credits STUDY IN CUBA Burlington College students are offered a truly unique opportunity to spend a semester studying at the University of Havana in Cuba. Students take classes in Cuban Studies, covering history, politics, international relations, economics, philosophy, music, art, and culture. Students experience a way of life far different from our own, and build long-lasting relationships with the always hospitable Cuban people. BURLINGTON.EDU/PARALEGAL BURLINGTON.EDU/CUBA
TAKE ON THE IMPORTANT ISSUES. Through timely forums, the Institute for Civic Engagement (ICE) provides an opportunity for the public and the Burlington College community to engage in discourse focused on issues of importance that affect us locally, nationally, and globally. Exceptionally engaged students have the opportunity to participate on a deeper level through the Civic Scholars class. BURLINGTON.EDU/ICE BURLINGTON COLLEGE Photo above is by Dylan Kelly 13, presented during his degree project Dissent and Dissonance: Occupy and the Re-ignition of American Radicalism.
Careful advising and strong mentoring from faculty our specialty. REWARDING AND RELEVANT INTERNSHIPS Internships are an integral part of the each academic program. You gain real world experience working with a variety of area organizations, businesses, and agencies. This is an invaluable component of your Burlington College experience. You not only get valuable work experience, but also develop professional connections that often lead to further career opportunities upon graduation. Internships for Legal and Justice Studies students are completed at the Law Line of Vermont s Pro Se Legal Clinic. Burlington College made U.S. News & World Report s 2013 short list of colleges with the highest rate of student internships. Above left: Mohamed Abdi 14 Mohamed was looking for a small college setting that would provide him the opportunity to be an active participant in his education. He likes that he is able to customize his degree to meet his goals as Executive Director of the Somali Bantu Community Association of Vermont. Mohamed plans to go on to get a Masters Degree in International Relations and Public Administration. Ultimately, Mohamed s goal is to bring more communities together. Above right: Sandy Baird, Esq. Lead Faculty, Legal and Justice Studies Director, Institute for Civic Engagement B.A. History University of Massachusetts M.A. History and Education University of Wisconsin Committed to human rights and justice for all, Sandy was a Vermont State Prosecutor from 1977-1980. Since then, she has had a private practice representing primarily low-income people. She was a Vermont State Legislator from 1992-1996, and is a frequent guest commentator on radio and public access television. This year, Sandy is the recipient of the Sister Elizabeth Candon Service Award from Vermont Women in Higher Education. As one friend so aptly said, Sandy s impact on our community is not only recognized by awards, but by the lives of the people she has touched as mentor and teacher, as well as with her determination for access to justice. We couldn t agree more. Start a fire For more Information, contact the Office of Admissions. 351 North Avenue Burlington, Vermont 05401 Toll Free: 800.862.9616 Direct Line: 802.923.2105 Fax: 802.660.4331 admissions@burlington.edu Apply today, visit burlington.edu/apply-now