THE PERCEPTION OF STUDENTS TAKING AB INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

AS A PRE-LAW COURSE IN ATENEO DE ZAMBOANGA UNIVERSITY

sCHAPTER I

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Introduction

AB International Studies is a course which students can take-up before

proceeding to Law school in Ateneo de Zamboanga University. In this study, the

researchers are to find the perceptions of the students taking AB International

Studies as a pre-law course of this current school year and if its preferability among

the students who are planning to proceed Law school after the four-year course

mentioned. It will discuss the observations of students as being a part of a pre-law

society and issues on understanding the different courses necessary for Law

school including the solutions to help the students decide whether law school is

the right path for them. The basis of this study be taken from personal accounts

from students as to why they chose the course.

Prior to the researchers who are Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS)

students, It is necessary to provide strong basis of the importance of choosing the

right course that would be beneficial to them before proceeding to Law school.

Moreover, one’s course must naturally suit one’s experience, expertise and

capability. It should also be relevant in order to be motivated to do well and proceed

to Law. Although, there is no single curricular path that is an ideal preparation for
Law school. This Pre-law, specifically, seeks to help students further improve their

skills in critical thinking, reading, writing and public speaking.

The common struggle among students who are “aspiring lawyers” is

choosing the best preparatory course to take that will help them understand

graduate school much more. Among numerous courses that are offered, AB

International Studies might be considerably help the society through their

perceptions as their course practices students’ capabilities in public speaking and

knowing the laws of different countries in a broader sense.

According to the Wikipedia, this course’s purpose and aim is to uplift

students and the young to be engaged with the growing number of issues and

phenomena which have arisen in a gradually globalized world. Hence, most

education providers explain and defend the need for the degree by involving the

increasing importance of the discipline with actual situations happening in the real

world beside with the employment opportunities.

For many Ateneo de Zamboanga University students, there are other

possible pre-law courses aside from AB International Studies, In spite of these

other courses, this study aims to serve as a guide and assess the effectiveness of

the Institution’s offered courses with regards to the development of the School of

Liberal Arts, specifically, enhancing and bettering the opportunities given to the

students and to avoid mismatch in the sense of lack of important skills and

beneficial experiences necessary in Law school and in the working field.

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Statement of the Problem

This study aims to know if AB International studies is the most preferable

Pre-law course.

Specifically, this study deems to answer the following questions:

1. What subject in a course makes it an option for Pre-law?

2. Aside from the subjects, what other factors does the course offer to make

it the most preferable course before entering law?

3. How well was the performance of the graduates that are now taking law

based on recent tracking?

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study was on the evaluation on the perceptions of college students AB

International Studies as their preparatory course in Ateneo de Zamboanga

University before entering to Law school. This study will only involve students who

are enrolled in the current school year, 2018-2019. This study would only for

students without double courses aside from AB International Studies. The area of

the experiment will be done inside the main campus of AdZU. The researchers aim

to investigate the reason and cause of their chosen course.

This study is limited due to few reasons such as Time restrictions;

consequently, there is a possibility that the information is weak and will not be as

intense as expected. One more reason is limited respondents in which not all

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International Studies students will proceed to Law school. Hence, another reason

for the results to be weak.

Significance of the Study

This study will be highly beneficial to the following parties:

Ateneo de Zamboanga University. The University can apply the

recommended approach derived from the results of the study as it guides and

assess the effectiveness of the institution’s offered courses and benefits to the

quality of Education.

College of Law. The results of the study will improve to produce students

who are more inclined with the practices of Law and with sufficient knowledge from

AB International Studies.

School of Liberal Arts. These findings will assist academic administrators

and serve as their future reference in the development of the School of Liberal

Arts, specifically, enhancing and bettering the opportunities given to the students

by understanding the needs of the students.

College Students. The study would guide the College students on what to

do as it gives them realizations of the important matters as pre-law students. The

information presented will enable them to act according to the different skills and

subjects, because as early as now, they will be able to see the effects, benefits

and advantages & disadvantages of AB International Studies to Law school.

Researchers. At the end of this study, the researchers, specially the

HUMSS students, can be educated in deciding whether AB International Studies

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is really the most preferable course and know how AB International Studies can

help them in Law school.

Definition of Terms

The following terms are utilized in this study. To cater understanding, the

following terms are conceptually and operationally defined to achieve accurate

interpretations on when and where to use the words, both concerning the reader’s

and the researcher’s view.

Perception. Perception includes all those processes by which an individual

receives information about his environment. (Reitz, n.d.). A college student’s way

of viewing and awareness of his or her current course “International Studies” as

pre-law course.

AB. The A.B. is an abbreviation of the Latin name for the Bachelor of Arts

(B.A.) degree “artium baccalaureus. (Harvard University, 2019). The abbreviation

placed before the name of the course “International Studies” that is one of the

many courses offered under the School of Liberal Arts in Ateneo de Zamboanga

University.

International Studies. Is a three-year program that provides you with a

sound foundation of knowledge in international issues from the perspective of

relevant social science disciplines. (University of Queensland, n.d.). The course

available in Ateneo de Zamboanga University which the students consider as the

“most preferable” course before going to Law school.

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 Law School. Is an institution specializing in legal education, usually

involved as part of a process for becoming a lawyer within a given jurisdiction.

(Wikipedia, 2019.). A graduate program in AdZU that students can enroll after a 4-

year course in college.

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