Law: Shaping a Just and Equitable World
How does the practice of law support the rights of people? What role does the law play in creating equal opportunity throughout society? In this course, you’ll explore the mechanics of the legal system; and the complexities of ownership rights, employment law, and access to education. Learn about the crossroads between civil rights and the law, and discover how the law can shape and protect an equitable society.
Program Dates
Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Eligibility
For students ages 13 and up
Fees
$1495
Discover How Law Helps Support Equal Opportunity
Consider the Influence of Law in Shaping Society
Study law’s influence on daily life. Understand how laws transform society. Trace the civil rights movement, and discover how law can be harnessed to ignite change.
Learn How our Legal System Views Property Ownership
Understand the difference between community property and private ownership. Review the concept of intellectual property and how ownership is established. Explore real-world legal disputes through case studies.
Identify Fundamental Workers’ Rights Under Employment Laws
Explore topics like right to work, and equal pay for equal work. Recognize the relationship between civil rights and employment, and define ethical considerations of employment laws.
Analyze the Application of Educational Rights
Analyze the spectrum of educational rights, including the right to free public education. Examine ethical issues related to education and students’ rights.
Consider the Limits of the Law Around the Concept of Justice
Investigate the concept of justice and how it is realized. See how rights are accessed and protected. Study the conflict between equality and equity of outcomes.
Learn About Potential Careers in Law
Topics in this course reveal potential career options available to those with an interest in law. These options include work in criminal law, civil litigation, civil rights, and education law attorney.
How You Will Benefit
- Be able to define the basic principles of law and its impact on society.
- Know how to analyze the role law has in shaping a just world with equal opportunity.
- Be able to identify solutions to legal challenges related to property ownership, employment rights, and education.
- Know the ethical dimensions of legal issues and the interplay between law, justice, and societal norms.
- Earn a Certificate of Completion from Rice University.
Three Learning Advantages Designed for You
Capstone Project
Imagine you are a member of a legal task force. Your assignment? Identify three interconnected societal challenges:
- Access to education
- Labor rights
- Property ownership
Develop a holistic proposal that effectively tackles these three challenges through legal solutions.
Mentoring
You’ll receive guidance from a mentor who can support you and deepen your learning experience. You can expect:
- Encouragement and direction on all assignments.
- Inspiration, motivation, and confidence to help you excel in your studies.
- Brainstorming and ideation to help you prepare for your capstone project.
Flexible Learning
- 100% online learning that works with your schedule.
- Flexible format: you’ll learn through video lectures that allow you to tune in anytime that works for you.
- 20-30 hours of total instruction and course work,
- Tech-forward interactions, including engaging multimedia, real-life simulations, and curated assignments.
- Guidance and support from mentors.
Apply Now for the Next Available Course
All course options have the same educational content, learning materials, and number of assignments. We are offering a condensed version of the course in order to accommodate students’ individual schedules.
Hear from Rice University
Hear From Our Students
This Rice Precollege course was truly an amazing experience, I got to learn so much about a field that I’m passionate about and explore it so much further. The course was interactive with in-depth concepts that were presented in a way that was easy to understand. I’m grateful that I was able to take it and I’m definitely encouraged to pursue law as a potential career. - Zahra, law student from TX.
I believe this course would be beneficial for anyone aspiring to become a lawyer, judge, government official, journalist, or even someone who isn't particularly interested in law. The law is applicable to so many aspects of life, and it's important to understand how it may affect you or those around you. - Abby, law student from CO.
I would recommend this course as it is interactive and helps students gain interest in law despite it being an online course. Through group discussions and messages with your course mentor, the course enables students to gain a wider scope regarding Legal Systems, Property Rights, Employment Law, Education Systems, and Justice. It is a great way to not only learn but gain experience and delve deeper into the law industry. - Grace, law student from Hong Kong.
Course Designed by Rice University Faculty
Dr. Richard Anthony Baker
Executive Director for People, Equity, & Talent Department, Rice University
Dr. Baker manages three units within Human Resources: Employee Relations, Access Equity and Equal Opportunity and Organizational and Talent Development. He also teaches “Foresight in Social Justice '' in Rice’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies’ Master of Liberal Studies Program. Dr. Baker is also the Immediate Past President of the board for the American Association for Access, Equity, and Diversity and has the distinction of being the first African American to obtain a doctorate of jurisprudence and graduate degrees in Public Administration (M.P.A.) and Higher Education (Ph.D.) from Texas Tech University.
Meet Your Mentors
Luisa
Working towards a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rice University in Political Science. Plans to pursue a master's degree in Global Affairs.
Makiah
Holds a Juris Doctor degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Currently works as an education attorney.
Dylan
Holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Politics, Law, and Social Thought from Rice University.
Want to Know More?
Sign up for more information and we’ll be in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will you be graded? What are assignments like? How much time do you have to turn around a project? When do you find out if you’re admitted? Find answers to your questions here.
Scholarships
We offer need-based scholarships for participating students who exhibit high potential and an inability to pay the full tuition.
- If you haven’t applied to the program, apply here. After submitting your application, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” on the confirmation page to request a scholarship.
- If you’ve already applied to the program, sign in to your profile to check your scholarship status. If we don’t have a scholarship request on file, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” to request a scholarship.