Taking Classes Under the One University Policy

I never saw myself taking classes within the Wharton school, but once I took my first class in the Legal Studies department, I knew I’d be returning for more. Last spring, I took Law and Social Values (LGST 1010) with Professor William Laufer in the Legal Studies department. It was the ideal class for a pre-law student like me, as I learned all the facets of the legal system, from comparing civil and criminal cases, to contract law, to being able to present and argue my own Supreme Court case. Because Penn operates under a One University policy, not only was I able to enroll in this Wharton class with the exact same ease as I’d enroll in a class within the College, but it actually counted toward my Criminology major. Each major is allocated a certain number of CUs they are able to take outside of the College, meaning that students can take classes in any of Penn’s four undergraduate schools while still being on track with their academic goals. There are also certain minors, such as the Legal Studies and History Minor, that are joint minors across mutiple undergraduate schools.

I had such a positive experience in this first Legal Studies Wharton class that I was inspired to take another, and am currently in Diversity in the Law (LGST 2180). These classes have provided me with integral knowledge of the legal system that I have drawn upon in job opportunities and to inform my decisions surrounding law school. In addition, the ability to take classes in the Wharton school added a more entrepreneurial focus to my existing liberal arts background. I was able to consider questions such as how to balance encouraging economic growth with corporate compliance from a more philosophical, theoretical perspective, as well as through reading case studies and learning from economic experts. I’ve also been able to attend engaging guest lectures, which was a valuable opportunity to learn about the career trajectories and day to day responsibilities of practicing lawyers.

The One University policy allows for exploration outside of a student’s home school, which is a great way to gain exposure to a new type of thinking and explore a new discipline. There are limitations, however, so be sure to check with you academic advisor!

- Samara H.