Sociology and Legal Studies at the University of Waterloo is a stimulating and expanding department, and consists of sociologists and socio-legal scholars engaging in innovative teaching styles and research programs.
Sociology is the study of social life and the social, economic, and political dynamics and dimensions of social relations and social change.
Legal studies is the study of law which is central to everything we do - how we carry on business, how we treat the environment, how we shape our governments and how we deal with other people.
This website gives an overview of the teaching and research in sociology and legal studies at the University of Waterloo.
Undergraduate
Major in Sociology or Legal Studies at UWaterloo for your Undergraduate degree and explore key topics like social justice, inequality and legal systems.
Graduate
Research topics in social, political, economic, and cultural relations by completing a Graduate degree at UWaterloo in Sociology or Legal Studies.
Meet our people
Discover the people that make up the Sociology and Legal Studies department and the research projects they are currently involved in.
News
PhD candidate named 2025 Emerging Scholar
Karmvir K. Padda, a PhD candidate in Sociology, has been named one of the 2025 Emerging Scholars by the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation, an international award recognizing exceptional doctoral researchers studying issues of violence and extremism.
Analyzing Extremist Manifestos
PhD candidate Karmvir Padda advances conversation on the links between extremism and misogyny.
Department Alum Wins Prestigious 2024 CLSA English Article Prize
Alumnus Dr. Kanika Samuels-Wortley has been selected as the winner of the 2024 Canadian Law and Society Association (CLSA) English Article Prize.