安大略理工大学

Law plays an ever-growing role in our lives. Most of the controversial issues of today — whether stemming from political conflict, technological developments, economic inequality or other social changes — are expressed and mediated through law. The Legal Studies program at our university offers students the opportunity to critically explore the social roles of law and its connections with community, government and society from different theoretical perspectives. The program emphasizes the development of critical thinking and analytic skills alongside a practical understanding of how to access and use legal materials. Our faculty's commitment to interdisciplinary approaches to both formal and informal law equips students to address socio-legal and social justice issues in a variety of contexts.

The first year of study is common to all Legal Studies students. Beginning in second year, students will have the opportunity to continue with the unspecialized program or to specialize in Human Rights Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution or Information Law.

Alternative Dispute Resolution specialization

Alternative dispute resolution typically includes arbitration, mediation, early neutral evaluation, and conciliation and sentencing circles. It also offers a less-expensive and faster alternative to settling disputes and disagreements. In this specialization students will learn about the increasing importance placed on alternative ways of solving disputes outside the courtroom.

Human Rights Law specialization

One of the major components of Canadian and international law is human rights. This specialization will teach students the complex relationship between the laws, rights and the state, while being exposed to Canadian and human rights discourses and instruments.

Information Law specialization

Changing technology has brought about new challenges to the legal and social control systems in modern society. In the Information Law specialization you will examine a variety of emerging socio-legal issues that have resulted from rapid technological development, including law and technology, intellectual property, cybercrimes, privacy laws and economic espionage.