Courses

An introduction to the study of law, its structure, and legal institutions from a cross-cultural and historical perspective. This interdisciplinary course examines the origins of legal systems and their impact on society. Included is an analysis of the diverse historical, political, economic, and cultural conditions under which law arises and functions within society.

This course provides an introduction to feminist legal thought with a particular focus on Canadian cases, legislation, law reform, and legal literature. Included is an analysis of the ways in which law contributes to women's legal, social, political, and economic status as well as the manner in which the law is used as a mechanism of social change for women. The intersection of gender with age, race, ethnicity, religion, and class will be addressed.                                                                                         [Cross-listed WS 206.]

An introductory survey of the research techniques commonly employed by sociologists, criminologists, and legal studies researchers. The formulation of research designs appropriate to various kinds of intellectual problems in social science is stressed.

(Cross-listed with SOC 221)

An examination of the major theories of crime causation and their implications for the development of social policy. Both historical and contemporary theories will be discussed.

(Cross-listed with SOC 227)

Sociological analysis of research and theory on selected criminal activities. Motivation, modus operandi, and the social characteristics of offenders will be examined in relation to such specific crimes as drug and sexual offenses, theft, robbery, murder, organized crime, and/or other criminal activities.

(Cross-listed with SOC 229)

An historical introduction to law in the ancient world. Babylonian, Assyrian, Hittite, and Roman law, legal practices, and concepts will be examined.

(Cross-listed with HIST 210, CLAS 210)

The course offers an introduction to the study of terrorism, with a primary focus on sociological approaches. The course examines the history, causes, and diversity of forms of terrorist groups and the process of radicalization, suicide terrorism, and some aspects of the counter-terrorism response of states.

(Cross-listed with SOC 240)

An examination of select criminal organizations in North America. Particular attention will be given to the social history of 'the mafia' and the development of legal tools for policing criminal organization. Additional themes for discussion include enterprise and economic crimes, corruption, and the role of women in organized crime.

(Cross-listed with SOC 263)

An examination of the resolution of conflicts, ranging from interpersonal to broader social and international conflicts. Students are introduced to negotiation, mediation, and nonviolent resistance, and are encouraged to develop their own theoretical understandings that aid in addressing conflict.

(Cross-listed with PACS 202)

This course examines children's rights from a moral and comparative legal perspective. Students explore the welfare and developmental interests of children, the corresponding duties of parents, custodians, educators, and social workers, and the nature and scope of public educational authority in the common law jurisdictions of Canada.

(Cross-listed with SDS 210R)

Particular attention is given to the law relating to contracts and business organizations. Other areas of study include sources of law, the judicial process, real and personal property, torts, agency, credit, and negotiable instruments.

(Cross-listed with AFM 231)

A study of literary works that involve legal matters and/or have led to litigation on such grounds as obscenity, treason, heresy, libel, and plagiarism.

(Cross-listed with ENGL 213)

Examines the social construction of law and its administration as a social process. Topics will include: law as an instrument of social control and social change; legal culture; the identification and evaluation of criminal suspects; the trial process and the rights of special groups. The specific laws highlighted will vary.

(Cross-listed with SOC 370)

An examination of theories of juvenile justice, juvenile law, and the structure and operations of juvenile systems, especially in Canada

(Cross-listed with SOC 306)

This course provides a critical evaluation of research techniques in sociology, criminology, and legal studies with an emphasis on learning and applying qualitative fieldwork approaches.

(Cross-listed with SOC 322)

Despite the commonly held belief that sexuality is nothing more than "doing what comes naturally", cultural definitions, including prohibitions against specific forms of conduct, impinge upon the most private or intimate of acts. This course examines the social construction and control of sexuality through law.

(Cross-listed with SOC 325)

A critical examination of the police as social control agents in contemporary democratic societies. Topics include the historical evolution of policing; police recruitment, training, and education; police/community relations; the occupational subculture of the police; police authority and discretion; private policing; and police deviance and criminality.

(Cross-listed with SOC 327)

This course investigates the history, theory, principles, practices, and people of restorative justice. Content will centre particularly on restorative justice as a way of dealing with crime and interpersonal violence in the Canadian context.

(Cross-listed with PACS 329)

Basic themes in the philosophy of law. Issues include the nature of law and its relation to morality and politics, legal reasoning, the justification of punishment, and theories of rights, responsibility and liability.

(Cross-listed with PHIL 327)

This course examines the evolution of family law in aboriginal, francophone, anglophone, and other communities in Canada to the end of the twentieth century. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, the course not only explores the demographic, economic, social, and political contexts in which family law developed but also addresses its significance for Canadian society.

(Cross-listed with SDS 353R)

This seminar explores the intersection of culture and rights from a legal perspective in order to better understand the diversity of ways that law shapes our society, and vice versa. Students will debate and assess selected perspectives while touching on various disciplines spanning the social sciences and humanities.

This seminar explores the relation between those who make or administer law and select legal subjects whose lives and identities are shaped by law. Students will debate and assess selected perspectives while touching on various disciplines spanning the social sciences and humanities. 

This course examines responses to crime from historical, philosophical, legal, psychological, sociological, and other related perspectives. The primary focus is on the relationship between the law, motivations of offenders, and responses by individuals and the criminal justice system due to chronic, sex, and violent offenders. 

Examines in depth the process and results of criminal sentencing. Topics include types of sentences for criminal and quasi-criminal offences; objectives of sentences; factors affecting sentences; the process of sentencing; the administration and effectiveness of sentences; and unresolved debates in sentencing.

(Cross-listed with SOC 428)

This course examines the social attributes and surrounding conditions associated with at-risk youth. It will focus on the development of youth in three major institutions - education, criminal justice, and mental healthcare. This course will focus on the attributes of youth themselves, but also to changing institutional definitions and practices. This course will include an experiential learning component outside regular classroom hours.

(Cross-listed with SOC 434)