Law and Society

Law and Society examines the place of law in social, political, economic and cultural life.

Courses in the Department of Law and Society explore how legal and social systems are interconnected and how law is woven into communities. Students gain an understanding of what happens when legal institutions succeed ... and then they fail.

Law & Society Electives

Below is a list of all Law & Society electives that anyone can register for, because they have no or just 1 prerequisite. For a complete list of our Law & Society courses, see the university calendar. 

Law, Democracy and Social Justice
(LWSO 1000)

Examines the nature and aims of democracy and contemporary issues related to social justice through a law and society perspective.

Law and Society in Canada
(LWSO 2000)

An introduction to law in Canadian society and the role which it has played in societies past and present.

Prerequisite: LWSO 1000

Special Topics in Law and Society
(LWSO 3010-3019, excluding 3012-3016)

Will have topics to be studied announced by the Program Coordinator.

Prerequisite: LWSO 1000

Indigenous Peoples:
Concepts of Land, the Law and the Constitution
(LWSO 3012)

Traces the historical development of Indigenous land and resource rights; colonial and Canadian law; and the Constitution of Canada as it relates to the First Nations, Inuit and Metis people of Canada. The developing concept of Indigenous law is presented within the context of the treaty process, Indian Act, contemporary land claims, the Canadian Constitution, and federal/provincial relations.

Prerequisite: LWSO 1000. LWSO 2000 is recommended

Indigenous-Crown Relations in Newfoundland and Labrador
(LWSO 3014)

Traces the historical development of Indigenous-Crown relations in Newfoundland and Labrador. Topics include: the current legal and constitutional status of the Inuit, First National and Metis people within the context of land claims, application of the Indian Act, access to programs and services, and federal/provincial relations.

Prerequisite: LWSO 1000. LWSO 2000 is recommended

Women and Law in Canada
(LWSO 3015)

Looks at the interplay between law and status under the law, the course proceeds to look at some of the main legal issues affecting women today, such as workplace equality, family law and women and crime. This course provides students with the opportunity to study cases in depth and apply legal theory to current issues affecting Canadian women.

Prerequisite: LWSO 1000. LWSO 2000 is recommended

Western Traditions of Law and War
(LWSO 3016)

Provides students with a historical overview of the law of war. The course goes beyond the traditional legal definition of war as an armed conflict between states, and examines whether the law of war should be applied to terrorism and wars of national liberation. Topics include: just war theory, the legality of the various means of warfare, the treatment of protected people and places and the prosecution of war criminals.

Prerequisite: LWSO 1000

Understanding Human Rights
(LWSO 3300)

Introduces students to the theory and practice of human rights. Course topics include: history; philosophy; and international and Canadian structures and provisions. The course includes an examination of selected areas of human rights, i.e. labour, women’s and children’s rights, and explores current and future applications of human rights.

Prerequisite: LWSO 1000

Organized Crime in Canada:
National and Global Perspectives
(LWSO 3400)

Examines the origins, expansion, and changing character of organized crime in Canada from the early twentieth century to the present. Laws relating to criminal activity, law enforcement and available tools to combat organized crime are assessed according to the inherent problems of investigation, evidence, and litigation.

Prerequisite: LWSO 1000. LWSO 2000 is recommended.