Lafayette College is home to the only government and law department in the United States, according to Professor Ilan Peleg. This major has an important history at the college, with a legacy dating back to 1921 when Fred Morgan Kirby established an endowment for the Kirby Professorship in Civil Rights.
Kirby’s goal was to provide students with a practical education in government and law that would be useful in future careers. His vision was to educate future lawyers, business leaders, and politicians in the workings of government and law. Helena Silverstein, the head of the government and law department, believes that Kirby intended to prepare students for various fields by understanding government and law.
The department’s name is an essential part of their identity, as Peleg emphasizes. The major is described as comprehensive and rigorous, focusing on courses in American government, comparative politics, and political theories. Over time, the major has evolved to include new topics and programs, expanding the students’ understanding of law, constitutional law, civil rights, and civil liberties.
Silverstein highlights that educating students in law and constitutional matters broadens their knowledge of civil liberties and rights over time. This holistic approach to teaching government and law reflects the department’s commitment to providing students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for various career paths.
The Kirby Hall of Civil Rights is another testament to Kirby’s legacy. The building has been updated to include representations of the civil rights movements from the 1950s, reflecting a broader concept of civil rights and liberties.
In conclusion, Lafayette College’s government
