Chaminade University of Honolulu

Law, History and Culture

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B.A. Law, History and Culture

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How do laws shape society—and how does society shape the law? If you’re curious about history, passionate about justice, and interested in understanding the systems that shape our world, the BA in Law, History & Culture at Chaminade University offers a powerful path forward.

This interdisciplinary program explores the connections between law, historical change, and cultural identity, with particular attention to Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander perspectives. Students examine how legal systems develop, how communities respond to injustice, and how advocacy and leadership can drive meaningful change.

By combining the study of law, history, and culture, the program prepares students to think critically, advocate effectively, and pursue careers that promote justice and community impact.

Whether you’re headed to the courtroom, public service, or the nonprofit sector, this major opens multiple pathways to help you find the right career for you.

  • Attorney/Lawyer
  • Claims Adjuster or Examiner
  • Compliance Officer
  • Contract Administrator
  • Court Clerk or Judicial Assistant
  • Educator/Teacher
  • Human Resources
  • Journalist (legal or political focus)
  • Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice roles
  • Legal Researcher or Analyst
  • Legal Writer or Editor
  • Legislative Assistant
  • Nonprofit or Advocacy Work
  • Operations Manager
  • Paralegal or Legal Assistant
  • Policy Analyst
  • Public Affairs Specialist
  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist
  • Risk Analyst
  • Social Services or Child Advocacy
  • Specialized Roles in Trusts, Hawaiian Agencies, and Estates
  • Title Examiner or Escrow Officer

Upon completion of the undergraduate B.A. program in Law, History and Culture, students will be able to:

  1. Students will critically analyze legal issues, applying logical reasoning to evaluate arguments, identify assumptions, and recognize biases in legal texts, cases, and real-world situations.
  2. Students will define and describe key legal concepts, structures, and processes, including constitutional law, civil and criminal law, legal ethics, and the role of law in society.
  3. Students will communicate complex legal ideas effectively, both in writing and orally, tailoring their language and argumentation to different audiences, including legal professionals, the public, and clients.
  4. Students will define and describe legal ethics, professional responsibility, and the role of lawyers in upholding justice, including recognizing ethical dilemmas and appying ethical dcision-making frameworks.
  5. Students will conduct independent legal research, utilizing primary and secondary sources, and will develop skills in leagal writing, including drafting memos, breifs, and legal arguments based on their research.

View a sample 4-year plan: BA in Law, History and Culture (coming soon)

In addition to the general education requirements, these are the pre-major and major requirements below:

Pre-Major Requirements:

  • CJ 151 Criminal Justice Systems
  • CJ 223 Introduction to Law
  • HI 151 World Civilizations I
  • HI 202 America since Civil War

Pre-Major Requirements:

  • BU 362 Legal and Ethical Issues in Business
  • CJ 423 Criminal Law
  • COM 433 Media Law and Ethics
  • EN 362 Advanced Expository Writing
  • HI 401 U.S. Constitution
  • RE 347/POL347 Justice, Development and Human Rights
  • HI 305  Contemporary America
  • HI 405 African American and Racial Justice 
  • HI 451  Modern Hawaiian History 
  • HI 453 Modern Pacific Islands History

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Faculty

Our faculty members are leaders in their fields. They believe in the power of personal experience—stressing mentorship, collaboration and project-based learning inside and outside the classroom.

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Accreditation

Chaminade University of Honolulu is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission.