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.
Events
Defending Jews from the definition of antisemitism
This talk examines the legal debate surrounding antisemitism in the context of Israel criticism, challenging definitions that equate such criticism with antisemitic speech. It argues that current legal definitions impose a narrow, Zionist-centric view of Jewish identity, harming both Palestinian advocacy and Jewish pluralism.
News
Empowering women in academia: University of Waterloo PhD student wins prestigious P.E.O. Scholar Award
University of Waterloo PhD student Karmvir Padda has been honoured with the prestigious P.E.O. Scholar Award (PSA), standing out as one of 100 selected applicants across North America. Padda was recognized for her research on online radicalization and extremism and her dedicated efforts to make academia more inclusive and supportive for all scholars.
Spring 2024 Joint University of Waterloo–St. Jerome’s University Legal Studies Seminar
Please join us for the Spring 2024 Joint University of Waterloo–St. Jerome’s University Legal Studies Seminar
On Wednesday the 19th of June, 2024 at 2 p.m. EDT,
Dr. Irina Ceric will be speaking on the topic of “‘PRIVATE’ PROPERTY, PUBLIC FORCE: THE LEGAL REGULATION OF CAMPUS ENCAMPMENTS”
Postdoctoral Fellow Krystle Shore Contributes to CTV News Story
Postdoctoral Fellow Krystle Shore contributed to a recent CTV News story that addressed new surveillance cameras in Victoria Park, Kitchener. The story can be accessed through this link.