Law
Loeb Building C473
Telephone: 613-520-3690
Fax: 613-520-4467
carleton.ca/law
The Department
Chair of the Department: R. Warskett
Supervisor of Graduate Studies: D. Buss
The Department of Law offers a program of advanced study and
research leading to a Master of Arts degree in Legal Studies.
The program is open to full-time and part-time students.
The Department also offers a Graduate Certificate in
Conflict Resolution. Further information can be found at the
end of this section. The M.A. program provides an
interdisciplinary, theoretical, and research-oriented approach
to studying law as a social and political institution, with
emphasis on the relationship between law and social
transformation. The plan of studies includes a range of fields
linked by a common theoretical and methodological concern with
the way law shapes and is shaped by its social environment. The
program is designed to develop the conceptual and analytical
skills required for conducting independent research on law and
society.
Within this context, students will focus on one or more of
the following areas of specialization:
- Legal Theory and Social Theory
- Law, Crime and Social Order
- Women, Law and Gender Relations
- Political Economy of Law
- International and Comparative Legal Regimes
- Social History of Law
The location of the M.A. program in Legal Studies at
Carleton provides students with a wealth of resources for
research purposes. As well as the resources of the MacOdrum
Library, students will have access to extensive Canadian and
international research material through the Social Science Data
Archives located at Carleton. The Library of the Supreme Court
of Canada, the National Library, the National Archives, the
Library of Parliament, Statistics Canada, and the Centre for
Justice Statistics are all located in Ottawa. Ottawa houses
many federal government departments and agencies, and the
national headquarters of non-governmental organizations such as
the Elizabeth Fry Society, the John Howard Society, and the
National Association of Women and the Law. Many government
departments and non-governmental organizations maintain
specialized libraries, and offer access to documents and other
research materials.
Qualifying-Year Program
Applicants with exceptional promise who have less than
B.A.(Honours) status may be admitted into a qualifying-year
program designed to raise their standing to honours status. To
be considered for admission into the master's program, students
must obtain at least a high honours average in their
qualifying-year courses.
Master of Arts
Admission Requirements
The requirement for admission into the M.A. program in Legal
Studies is an Honours bachelor's degree or the equivalent, with
at least high honours standing.
Applicants will be considered for admission on the basis of
their academic background and standing. Where relevant,
previous professional experience may be taken into account.
Applicants without a background in law may be required to
complete one or more designated courses from the department's
undergraduate program before taking courses towards the
master's degree.
Application deadlines can be found at https://gsapplications.carleton.ca .
Program Requirements
In consultation with the supervisor of graduate studies,
each candidate is required to complete one of the following
programs of studies:
- 3.0 credits and a 2.0-credit thesis (LAWS 5909), which
includes an oral examination.
- 4.0 credits and a 1.0-credit research essay (LAWS
5908)
All students are required to take LAWS 5000 and LAWS 5001.
These courses provide students with a common theoretical and
interdisciplinary framework for the program.
In addition, students are encouraged to take 0.5 credit in a
related discipline, in consultation with the supervisor of
graduate studies.
All students must obtain satisfactory grades in their course
work; make satisfactory progress in their research; maintain a
close working relationship with their thesis or research essay
supervisors; and attend seminars on current research and
related topics.
Thesis/Research Essay
The thesis or research essay must represent the result of
the candidate's independent research undertaken after being
admitted into graduate studies in the Department of Law.
Previous work of the candidate may be used only as introductory
or background material for the thesis or research essay.
A student may carry on research work related to the thesis
or research essay off campus if the work is approved in advance
and supervision arrangements have been made with the supervisor
of graduate studies.
Guidelines for Completion of Master's
Degree
Full-time students are expected to complete the required
two courses, LAWS 5000 and LAWS 5001, and either an additional
2.0 credits (for those following the thesis program), or an
additional 3.0 credits (for those following the research essay
program) by the end of the second term of registration. The
thesis or research essay should normally be submitted by the
end of the fourth term of study.
Part-time students are expected to complete the required two
courses, LAWS 5000 and LAWS 5001, and either an additional 2.0
credits (for those following the thesis program) or an
additional 3.0 credits (for those following the research essay
program) by the end of their third year of study. The thesis or
rsearch essay should normally be submitted by the end of the
fifth year of study.
Certificate in Conflict Resolution
The Department of Law offers a program of advanced study
leading to a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution.
The Certificate provides an interdisciplinary program of
study emphasizing theoretical models of conflict and its
management and/or resolution, and integrating skills and
techniques in the field. The program has an academic structure
and a professional orientation, and is directed to individuals
whose work involves negotiation or coping with conflict. The
program develops in students an intellectual foundation and
applied skills to enable them to function effectively in their
field.
Interested students should contact the Department of Law for
information concerning admission and program requirements,
scheduled courses, and fee schedules.
Graduate Courses
Not all of the following courses are offered in a given
year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings and to
determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at
central.carleton.ca
Core Courses
The compulsory courses are designed to give substance to the
major objectives of the program. They provide the theoretical
and interdisciplinary framework which will set the terms of
discussion and debate for the program. The courses are
designated as compulsory because it is anticipated that
students will be drawn from both law and social sciences
backgrounds, and consequently there is a need to provide a
central and shared basis for the whole program.
- LAWS 5000 [0.5 credit]
- Theories of Law and Social Transformation
- Examines three groups of theories of law (liberal,
sociological and Marxist) focusing on different ways law is
conceived as an object of inquiry and on different accounts
of trajectories of legal development. Potential of law for
realizing or inhibiting social change provides analytic
framework.
- LAWS 5001 [0.5 credit]
- Legal Method and Social Inquiry
- Introduces problems of research strategy and methods.
Explores contrasting methodologies in legal research;
evaluates methodologies employed in understanding legal
reasoning, discourses, and practices. Includes seminars in
which participants present outlines of their own research
projects, focusing on methodologies and research
questions.
Other Law Courses
- LAWS 5002 [0.5 credit]
- Law and Gender Relations
- Examines theoretical approaches informed by
significance of gender to structure and operation of law.
Concepts such as essentialism, difference, cultural
determination, and social construction of gender relations
examined in context of contemporary feminist debates. Focus
on understanding and facility with feminist analysis and
methodology.
- LAWS 5003 [0.5 credit]
- Law, Economy and Society
- Addresses the relationship between law, economy, and
society. Competing theoretical accounts of the relationship
between legal regulation and social and economic change
explored through selected historical and contemporary case
studies.
- LAWS 5004 [0.5 credit]
- Law, Crime and Social Order
- Examines theoretical dimensions of relationship between
law, state, crime, and social order. Explores scope and
limitations of criminal justice system as an agency of
social control. Examines shifts in forms of social order
and their relation to changes in criminal law and
sanctions.
- LAWS 5005 [0.5 credit]
- Law, State and Politics
- Examines theoretical explanations of relationships
between law, state and politics, Selected areas such as
rights theory, rule of law, separation of powers or
judicial review may provide focus.
- LAWS 5006 [0.5 credit]
- Historical Perspectives on Law and Society
- Examines historical relationship between social forces,
law and legal institutions and utility of historical forms
of knowledge and methods to legal studies. Surveys selected
issues in private, public and criminal law.
- LAWS 5007 [0.5 credit]
- Race, Ethnicity and the Law
- Examines ways race and racism interact with gender and
class in shaping legal system. Explores ways legal system
institutionalizes racism and potential for using the legal
system to combat racism. Selected areas such as immigration
law and native rights may be used to illustrate
themes.
- LAWS 5008 [0.5 credit]
- Consuming Passions: The Regulation of Consumption,
Appearance and Sexuality
- Examines rise of consumption and private pleasures and
their regulation and self-regulation. Social history of
regulation of two fields of consumption: surfaces of the
person: personal appearance, in particular of dress, the
body, sexuality; and intakes of the body, focusing on food,
alcohol, drugs. (Also listed as SOCI 5204.)
- LAWS 5100 [0.5 credit]
- Advanced Problems in Legal Philosophy
- Studies in legal theory and analyses of law advanced by
Hart, Dworkin, and others, and legal concepts: for example,
principles, rights, duties, liability, etc. Precise course
content will vary from year to year and will be announced
at the beginning of the term. (Also listed as PHIL
5100.)
- Prerequisites: either LAWS 3105 or LAWS 3101 (PHIL
3101) and LAWS 3102 (PHIL 3102), or permission of the
Department.
- LAWS 5200 [0.5 credit]
- International Economic Law: Regulation of Trade and
Investment
- Study of regulation of international economic activity.
Discussion of relevant international institutions, legal
aspects of integration, governmental regulation of trade
and investment. (Also listed as INAF 5507.)
- Prerequisite: Open only to students in their master's
year who have not studied international economic law.
- LAWS 5302 [0.5 credit]
- Feminism, Law and Social Transformation
- Exploration of nature and possibilities of feminist
engagement with law. Policies and strategies of law reform
and/or social transformation formulated and evaluated
through application of theoretical frameworks to particular
topics. Significance of Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms and human rights legislation is examined.
- LAWS 5305 [0.5 credit]
- Crime, Social Change and Criminal Law
Reform
- Examination of the ideological and practical consequences
of criminal law reform and policy initiatives undertaken by
the state. Specific reform proposals examined to illustrate
possible alternate responses to social problems and the
varying effects of these responses.
- LAWS 5306 [0.5 credit]
- Police and Capital
- The idea of ‘police’ as a general historical project aimed at the fabrication of social order and the development of liberal philosophy, political economy and security. Contemporary public and private security provision considered in light of commodification, class conflict, and risk thinking. (Also listed as SOCI 5305.)
- LAWS 5400 [0.5 credit]
- Law, Economy and the Regulatory Process
- Relationship between law, the economy, and the
regulatory process. Examines models from political and
economic perspectives, and impact of theories of regulation
on regulatory practice and enforcement. Selected topics may
be drawn from labour law, housing and consumer protection,
environmental protection, and anti-combines
legislation.
- LAWS 5405 [0.5 credit]
- Canadian Labour Law Policy from a Comparative
Perspective
- Examines major influences on formation of Canadian
labour law policy using a comparative perspective to
highlight divergencies in Western democratic nations.
Question if and why Canadian labour law is distinctive.
Includes collective bargaining and regulation of individual
employment relationships.
- LAWS 5500 [0.5 credit]
- The Canadian Constitution
- Familiarizes students with terminology, principles, and
doctrines of judicial interpretation of Constitution Acts
1867-1982 and other constitutional statutes. Emphasis on
division of legislative powers in the Canadian
federation.
- Prerequisite: open only to graduate students in their
master's year who have not previously studied Canadian
constitutional law.
- LAWS 5503 [0.5 credit]
- Advanced Legal Problems of Federalism
- An advanced study of selected Canadian constitutional
problems including constitutional revision. Some
comparisons with other federal systems may be made.
- Prerequisite: a course in Canadian constitutional law,
for example LAWS 5500, or permission of the
Department.
- LAWS 5506 [0.5 credit]
- Advanced Administrative Law Problems
- An in-depth study of selected legal questions involving
the activities of public authorities.
- Prerequisite: a course in administrative law or
permission of the Department.
- LAWS 5603 [0.5 credit]
- International Law: Theory and Practice
- Examines various theoretical perspectives on
international law and locates role international law plays
in the international system. Topics include basis, creation
and sources of international law, international dispute
resolution, and international law and world order
transformation. (Also listed as INAF 5505.)
- LAWS 5900 [0.5 credit]
- Tutorials/Directed Readings in Law
- Tutorials or directed readings in selected areas of
law, involving presentation of papers as the basis for
discussion with the tutor.
- LAWS 5901 [0.5 credit]
- Tutorial/Directed Readings in Law
- Tutorials or directed readings in selected areas of
law, involving presentation of papers as the basis for
discussion with the tutor.
- LAWS 5903 [0.5 credit]
- Contemporary Topics in Legal Studies
- A research seminar which explores a selected topic from
current debates in legal studies. Students should check
with the Department regarding the topic offered.
- LAWS 5904 [0.5 credit]
- Contemporary Topics in Legal Studies
- A research seminar which explores a selected topic from
current debates in legal studies.
- LAWS 5908 [1.0 credit]
- M.A. Research Essay
- LAWS 5909 [2.0 credits]
- M.A. Thesis
Selection of Courses in Related Disciplines
In addition to the graduate courses offered by the
Department of Law, students in the M.A. program are encouraged
to take 0.5 credit in a related discipline, in consultation
with the supervisor of graduate studies. Listed below are
courses offered by other academic units that can be taken
towards the requirements of the M.A. in Legal Studies. This
list is not exhaustive and is subject to change.
In certain circumstances (with the approval of the
supervisor of graduate studies) up to 1.0 credit may be
selected from among those offered at the 4000-level.
Note: Students should be aware that the number of spaces in
graduate courses offered by other departments may be limited,
and that registration may be conditional upon obtaining the
prior approval of the department concerned. It is the student's
responsibility to ensure that permission is obtained from the
appropriate department prior to registering in any of the
department's courses.
Students are advised that there is no guarantee that all of
these courses will be offered in any given year, or in any
given term. 1.0 credit courses are scheduled over two terms and
students interested in these courses must consult the graduate
supervisor. Students should check the current University
timetable to ensure course availability and schedule when
planning their program.
Canadian Studies
CDNS 5100, CDNS 5200, CDNS 5201
Economics
ECON 5302, ECON 5303, ECON 5308, ECON 5403
Geography
GEOG 5400, GEOG 5401, GEOG 5404
History
HIST 5206, HIST 5300, HIST 5509, HIST 5808
International
Affairs
INAF 5203, INAF 5306, INAF 5100, INAF 5305, INAF 5402,
INAF 5405, INAF 5505, INAF 5507, INAF 5808
Journalism and
Communication
JOUR 5401
Political Science
PSCI 5100, PSCI 5507, PSCI 5509
Psychology
PSYC 5104, PSYC 5107, PSYC 5202
Public
Administration
PADM 5002, PADM 5203, PADM 5306, PADM 5607, PADM 5608,
PADM 5609, PADM 5804
Sociology and Anthropology
SOCI 5206,SOCI 5300, SOCI 5302, SOCI 5306, SOCI 5308,
SOCI 5400, SOCI 5404, SOCI 5405, SOCI 5408, SOCI 5409, SOCI
5504, SOCI 5600, SOCI 5607, SOCI 5608, SOCI 5707
Social Work
SOWK 5101, SOWK 5106, SOWK 5301, SOWK 5302, SOWK
5704
.
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