MASTER OF LAWS (LLM) - COURSES
LAWM-8100. Research Methods
Through this required course, and in view of writing the LLM thesis, students will focus on developing research questions, elaborating appropriate methodological approaches for their graduate research (i.e. the Master’s thesis), preparing a research agenda, creating a literature review, and on creating a written report of their research findings. The central part of the course will place emphasis on learning contemporary methodological approaches to legal scholarship. Although the research methods discussed may vary from year to year, doctrinal (case-based), qualitative, and historical research methods will be examined. Students will also develop ethical and interdisciplinary approaches to academic legal research and advanced library research skills. (6 credits, 2-term course.) (Open only to LLM students.)
LAWM-8200. Legal Theory
Drawing from continental and analytic writings manifesting social contextual, historical, anthropological, and philosophical perspectives, this course will, in particular, examine issues surrounding the relation of legal orders to outsiders, the social-cultural context of the nature of a law, the nature of legal obligation and the boundary of law as a discourse.
LAWM-8300. Graduate Seminar
An adjunct to the LL.M Research Methods course, the Graduate Seminar will provide a forum in which students can discuss their ongoing research and present portions of their work for feedback from the course director and their peers. The seminar will convene for the equivalent of 1hour/week, every other week, over the course of the fall and winter semesters (12 hours total).
LAWM-8400. Law Teaching in the Diverse Classroom
This course will examine theory and techniques for engaging with controversial topics in the law school class setting. Through this course, students will focus on learning, and evaluating critically, different approaches to teaching in classroom settings that require cultural competence and other diversity competencies. This course will focus on understanding how student learning is influenced by individual experiences, gender, language, culture, family and community. Students will also work on developing their own approaches to teaching in such settings. This course serves to complement the LL.M student’s learning experience in the University Teaching Certificate Program (or equivalent) by offering exposure to issues related specifically to law teaching. (Prerequisite for students in the teaching stream: completion of UTC lesson plan exercise in the UTC course “Learning Centred Teaching in Higher Education”) (1.5 credit)
LAWM-8970. Thesis
The central component of the program's requirements is the completion of original publishable research. A major written piece of original research, the thesis may be submitted as one single document or as a set of publishable articles totalling approximately 100-125 pages in length.
MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK AND JURIS DOCTOR (MSW/JD) - COURSES
LAWG-5930. Law and Social Work: Advanced Practice Research Methods and Policy Analysis
This course prepares students to use the practitioner-researcher model in the analysis of social policy, as it relates to law, in Canada. This model includes problem formation, qualitative and quantitative research design, data analysis and interpretation, and the dissemination of findings. Students will learn to apply specific analytic frameworks and theories, drawn from law and social work, to issues of Canadian social policy. In addition, students will learn essential elements of program evaluation including needs assessment, program logic models, implementation and process evaluations, and impact evaluations. Particular attention will be given to the implications of social policy for vulnerable and oppressed populations. Credit Weight 4.0. (Crosslisted with Social Work SWRK-8625).
LAWG-5931. Advanced Seminar in the Theory and Practice of Social Work and the Law
This seminar focuses on the intersection of law and social work in theory and practice. It will prepare students to think critically about the interrelationship between law and social work, both as disciplines and professions, and to identify and analyze theoretical and substantive areas of compatibility and tension. The challenges of interdisciplinary practice will be considered, with a particular emphasis on ethical norms and the advancement of social justice. (Open to MSW/JD students only, or with the permission of both program areas.) (Credit Weight 4.0. Cross listed with Social Work SWRK-8626).