COURSE CURRICULUM

The Honours Bachelor of Applied Arts in Social Justice and Legal Studies is structured as an eight-semester program combining foundational knowledge in law, sociology, psychology, and social justice with practical and professional skill development. In the first semester, students are introduced to Canadian law, sociological and psychological theories, critical thinking, social justice, and academic writing. The second semester emphasizes counseling, community outreach, access to justice, social inequality, and organizational behavior. In semesters three and four, students study legal research and writing, criminology, criminal law, ethics, administrative law, working with vulnerable populations, crime prevention, employment law, and community wellness. Semesters five and six focus on crisis counseling, social justice theory and practice, social research, social movements, interpersonal communication, alternative dispute resolution, community activism, victimology, professional development, and interdisciplinary statistical methods, along with a substantial work-integrated learning component totaling 28 credits. In the final two semesters, students explore community development, restorative justice, advocacy, constitutional law, accounting, philosophy of social and political change, social media activism, socio-legal strategies, and Indigenous socio-legal traditions, while also completing degree electives. The curriculum is designed to develop critical thinking, practical skills, and interdisciplinary knowledge, preparing graduates for leadership roles in social justice, community advocacy, and legal studies, as well as for further graduate study.