Overview

The general objective of the Law and Justice programs is to encourage a broadened critical understanding of the nature, role and function of our legal and judicial institutions. Thus we do not focus on teaching black letter law, but rather look at law in an interdisciplinary context as a complex human and social phenomenon. We promote an understanding of why the law is as it is, the historical development of the law, the implications of the law, and the relationship of the law to economic, social and political ideas and conditions. This approach clearly distinguishes us from Law Schools, whose mandate is to prepare students for the practice of law in accordance with guidelines established by the Law Society.

• Three and four-year programs lead to a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Justice

• Minor and Major available

• Courses are available on a wide variety of topics offered by a number of different Departments

• Some courses are available by distance education

Why should students choose this program?

The Law and Justice Program is one of only a few in Canada in which undergraduate students can study law as a complex human and social phenomenon. This provides students with a broader perspective and context than they may get from subsequent law related education or training. To paraphrase graduates, we seek to open their minds and broaden their horizons. Thus students are encouraged to consider legal issues from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, both by the core Law and Justice faculty who all have interdisciplinary backgrounds, and through the multidiscipinary course offerings, as students take law related courses from a variety of departments, including Classics, Indigenous Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology.

First-year course overview

• |JURI-1105EL| – Introduction to Legal Studies 6 cr

• Natural Science 6 cr (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Math, Physics)

• Electives 18 cr

Admission Requirements

Based on Grade 12 4U/M courses:

• 1 English or 1 Français (depending on language of study)

• 5 other courses

• Minimum average of 70%

Employment Prospects

Graduates from the 4 year program with a strong A average can go on to law school, and thus become a lawyer; undertake graduate studies in a variety of disciplines, which may lead to research, college teaching or government careers; or go to teachers college to qualify to teach law in high school. Careers for which a BA may be sufficient (although there could be additional non-university requirements) include: police, probation & parole, customs, insurance, and human resources

However, graduates are not limited to law related careers, as we do not aim to teach them the law per se or to prepare them for any particular legal career, but rather to provide them with the critical thinking, reading, writing and learning skills that will allow them to pursue careers in a wide variety of fields

Credit Transfer

Credit transfer opportunities are available from other recognized postsecondary institutions and are typically evaluated on an individual basis. Some fast-tracking opportunities also exist. Several formal collaborative agreements with Cambrian, Confederation and Northern colleges are also in place for this program.