The Law and Society program investigates how law and legal systems affect various aspects of life. The program offers students an opportunity to consider and compare legal systems in North America and other parts of the world. Although not a “pre-law” program, Law and Society introduces students to legal, as well as political, philosophical and sociological, concepts. Students become familiar with a variety of sources for law and socio-legal policy, including statutes, the decisions of courts and administrative tribunals, public policy and advocacy documents, public and governmental debates, and statistical and analytical research. As well, students study the fundamental tensions and principles in Canadian jurisprudential traditions and examine Canadian political and legal history.
As an interdisciplinary program, Law and Society draws on many other fields of study, including law, anthropology, economics, history, business management, philosophy, economics, political science and sociology. The program gives students strong critical and theoretical skills as well as a broad appreciation of socio-legal movements. It emphasizes research and reasoning, inviting students to investigate and reconsider their own beliefs and experiences. They learn to search out, analyze and write about complex legal and social concepts and issues. Law and Society prepares students to become engaged and active citizens in local, national and international spheres.
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The Law and Society program is managed by the Department of Sociology
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