M.A. Legal Studies

About the Program

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.

The research and teaching interests of faculty members in the Department include the following areas of specialization:

  • Crime, Governance and Security
  • Globalization, International Law and Transnational Justice
  • Citizenship, Human Rights and Political Economy
  • Gender, Sexuality and Identity
  • Law, History, Culture and Humanities
  • Conflict Resolution

Academic Regulations

Top of page

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.

  • 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.
Top of page

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.
Top of page

 

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

top