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Legal Studies Minor
Program Declaration and Continuation
Students with a minimum 2.25 cumulative grade point average (CGPA)* apply for program declaration to the School of Criminology after completing 30 units including all of the criminology lower division requirements with minimum C- grades.
To continue in the minor, students must maintain a 2.25 CGPA. Students whose CGPA falls below 2.25 cannot enroll in any upper division CRIM courses.
*transfer students who meet the criminology program declaration requirements upon admission to ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV may use their admission CGPA for declaration purposes
Program Requirements
Lower Division Requirements
All of
A general introduction to the fundamental and competing principles of jurisprudence and to the basic legal institutions of Canada. Prepares students for those law and law related courses offered within the School of Criminology and will consider the history of Canadian law, the development of the Canadian constitution, the system of Canadian courts and the roles and responsibilities of members of the legal profession. In addition, the course will consider the nature of legal reasoning, the doctrine of precedent, principles of statutory interpretation and will also introduce the fields of contract, torts, administrative law, and family law. Also examines the process of law reform in Canada. Breadth-Social Sciences.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Graeme Bowbrick |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Mon, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Mon, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Mon, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Mon, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Mon, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D107 |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Mon, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D108 |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Mon, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
The development of laws and their application to the citizen and social groups. Special consideration will be given to civil liberties. Breadth-Social Sciences.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
||
D101 |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Fri, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Fri, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
and at least one of
An analysis of the definition and control of youthful misconduct in an historical and contemporary context. Attention is focused upon: the social construction of 'juvenile delinquency', the decline of the concept, and the emergence of the concept of the 'young offender'; the Young Offenders Act and related legislation; the growth of the welfare state and the role of social workers in 'policing' youth and families; explanations for the criminal behavior of young persons; state and private sector programs designed to deal with such behavior. Prerequisite: CRIM 101 and CRIM 131.
Nature, purpose, scope, sources and basic principles of the criminal law. Study of certain fundamental legal concepts such as mens rea, negligence and strict liability. Analysis of the concept of criminal responsibility in Canada. Critical examination of the legislative policies expressed in the Criminal Code. Study of the basic elements of a criminal offence. Examination of the legal principles relating to certain specific crimes and to certain major defences. Impact of Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms on the criminal law. Prerequisite: CRIM 135.
Section | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|
Distance Education |
Upper Division Course Access and Requirements
Students with a minimum 2.25 CGPA are eligible to enroll in upper division criminology courses upon successful completion of 60 units and criminology program declaration.
Note that same upper division course may not be used for formal credit in both the criminology major and the legal studies minor. Students cannot obtain credit for both the post baccalaureate diploma in legal studies and this minor program.
Students complete a minimum of 18 upper division units including:
One of
Introduction to the theory of sociology of law. Law and social structure. Law as a product of a social system and as an instrument of social change. Social functions of the law. Relationship between law and the structure and function of various other social institutions. The process of law-making. Process by which various interests become translated into legal rules. The social reality of the law; the law in action. Social sciences findings into the operation and practice of the law. Critical and feminist perspectives on law. Public knowledge, awareness, opinions and attitudes to the law, sanctions and the criminal justice system. Prerequisite: CRIM 101 and 135.
Introduction to the philosophy of law. Concepts of law, constitution and sovereignty. The nature and sources of the law. Examination of natural law, legal positivism, Kelsen's pure theory of law, legal realism, modern normative and analytical theories, critical legal theory and feminist theory. Prerequisite: CRIM 101 and 135.
Students must select additional courses totalling at least 15 units from the upper division courses listed below. Students must ensure they have necessary lower division prerequisites.
Note: Students who have completed both CRIM 332 and 338 need only complete 12 units from the list below.
Criminology majors who wish to complete this minor must complete six of the upper division units in a discipline outside of their major.
Common law, equity, and statute law; contracts, agency, and negotiable instruments; partnership and corporation law; international commercial law. Prerequisite: 45 units. BUEC 391 is not to be taken concurrently with BUS 393. Students with credit for COMM 393 may not take this course for further credit.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
||
D101 |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Mon, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Mon, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Mon, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Mon, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
||
D201 |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Tue, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
|
D202 |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Tue, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
|
D203 |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Tue, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
|
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Mon, 5:30–7:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
||
E101 |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Mon, 7:30–8:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
E102 |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Mon, 7:30–8:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
E103 |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Mon, 8:30–9:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Examines some of the more complex contemporary issues relating to young offenders and justice. For any given term, the content of the course will reflect current controversies as well as faculty and student interests. Topics may include social control theory and juvenile justice; an assessment of theories of rehabilitation; the legal philosophy of the young offenders legislation and its impact on juvenile justice; and an evaluation of diversion, deinstitutionalization and de-legalization in Canada and the United States. Prerequisite: CRIM 101 and CRIM 210.
Critical examination of the impact of psychiatry and related clinical professions on the criminal justice system. Relationship between institutions of mental health and legal control. The relevance of psychiatric theory and decision-making for the processing of mentally disordered offenders. The role of forensic clinicians in the courts, prisons, mental hospitals and related agencies. Specific issues addressed in this course will include psychiatric assessment, criminal responsibility, fitness to stand trial, prediction of dangerousness, treatment of mentally ill criminals and the penal and therapeutic commitment of the insane. Prerequisite: CRIM 101. Recommended: CRIM 131.
Examines the history of commercial sex in Canada, the related laws and their impacts; research on the breadth of the commercial sex industry, sex sellers, sex buyers, and third parties; theories about commercial sex involvement and its role in society; legal approaches to addressing commercial sex in other countries; current legal framework, including jurisprudence, relevant Criminal, Immigration, and municipal law. Prerequisite: CRIM 101. Students with credit for CRIM 313 (Specific Types of Crime) prior to Summer 2007 may not take this course for further credit.
Critical examination of selected topics in criminal procedure and evidence, including jurisdiction, police powers of search and seizure, the right to counsel and pre-trial and trial procedures. Brief survey of the system of rules and standards by means of which the admissibility of evidence is determined. Close examination of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and its impact on criminal procedure and evidence. Prerequisite: CRIM 101 and 230.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Helene Love |
May 10 – Jun 20, 2022: Tue, Thu, 8:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
An extension of CRIM 230, this course will examine Canadian criminal law in greater depth as well as in comparison with other jurisdictions. Each term several substantive areas will be analysed closely. The areas to be examined will be determined by student interest but may include sexual offences, public order offences, mental disorder and the criminal process, property offences, etc. Prerequisite: CRIM 101 and 230.
A study of the relationship between the government and the individual. Focus upon the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and its interpretation by the judiciary. Examination of the issues of equality before the law, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of expression. A study of human rights at the international, federal and provincial levels. Prerequisite: CRIM 101 and CRIM 135.
Section | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|
Distance Education |
A critical analysis of certain 'hot' issues in criminology and criminal justice. The topics covered change from term to term. Prerequisite: CRIM 101.
A critical analysis of certain 'hot' issues in criminology and criminal justice. The topics covered change from term to term. Prerequisite: CRIM 101.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Alissa Greer |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Fri, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
B101 | TBD |
A critical analysis of certain 'hot' issues in criminology and criminal justice. The topics covered change from term to term. Prerequisite: CRIM 101.
An examination of how relations between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples framed and were framed by the development of international law from the 15th century onward. Prerequisite: CRIM 101 or FNST 101 or 201 or permission of instructor. Students with credit for CRIM 416, or 418 under the title "Indigenous Peoples and International Law" or "Indigenous Peoples and Evolving International Relations", or FNST 429 may not take this course for further credit.
The gendered nature of law will be addressed through an examination of its underlying factual assumptions, and the use of social science research as evidence in equality litigation. The use of the charter, human rights legislation, and other legal means to achieve gender equality through the legal system in the areas of work, employment and pay equity, and compensatory schemes for personal injuries will also be examined. This course will also examine women's struggles to gain admittance to the legal profession, and the barriers which may still prevent them from participating equally in the profession today. Prerequisite: CRIM 330.
Examines the use of self regulation by professional organizations (e.g. law societies, colleges of physicians and surgeons) and the increasing demand by other occupational groups and social and economic entities to be governed by these internal controls in addition to, or in lieu of, the criminal and other state law. It will specifically examine how the criminal law is used in the context of self-regulation and how professionals can bypass the criminal law through self-regulating organizations. The professions will be examined in the context of administrative, civil and criminal law. Implications for self regulation in other areas and the future of self-regulation will also be considered. Prerequisite: Recommended: CRIM 330.
Examines the issues of wrongful convictions and other miscarriages of justice. Considers the major factors that contribute to wrongful convictions despite the safeguards built into the system, and ways to prevent or reduce their number. Prerequisite: CRIM 330 is recommended. Students with credit for CRIM 417 under this title (Fall 2007 or Fall 2008) may not take this course for further credit.
An in depth examination of the application of economic reasoning to the law. The course considers how legal relationships influence behavior and how economic models can explain the structure of the law. A selected number of topics will be covered, and may include the economic approach to common law; property rights; contracts; torts; criminal behavior; family law; and corporate bankruptcy law. Prerequisite: ECON 201 and ECON (or BUEC) 333 or ECON 302, all with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for BUEC 427 or BUEC 495 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
Designed to provide education students, teachers, counsellors and school administrators with a comprehensive understanding of the legal issues and potential legal liabilities encountered in the BC public school system. Special attention is devoted to the legal dimensions and consequences of routine classroom and administrative activity. Topics include: sexual abuse by school board employees; negligence and supervision; private lifestyles and community standards; discipline and corporal punishment; sexual harassment in the workplace; responsibility for curriculum fulfillment; liability outside school hours; and the AIDS controversy. Prerequisite: 60 units.
Provides a fundamental knowledge of law to teach law-related content in the BC curriculum: social studies, science, personal planning, language arts, P.E., social responsibility, and business. Topics: Canadian legal system, legal history, legal reasoning, dispute resolution strategies, the role of the courts, and family, environmental, property and contract laws. Prerequisite: 60 units.
The justification and practise of law-related education in the K-12 curriculum are the subjects of this methodology course. Students will examine the place of law in the curriculum, existing resources and appropriate teaching strategies and will have the opportunity to develop unit plans and curriculum materials. Emphasis is on developing and implementing law-related programs in the classroom. Prerequisite: 60 units including six in education courses. Teaching experience is recommended.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Online |
An examination of property, particularly in relation to land, with an emphasis on its social, political, and spatial dimensions. Prerequisite: 60 units, including eight of upper division geography. Students with credit for GEOG 440W may not take this course for further credit.
A specific theme within the field of gender, sexuality, and women's studies, not otherwise covered in depth in regularly scheduled courses, will be dealt with as occasion and demand warrant. Prerequisite: 45 units, including six units in GSWS.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Natasha Patterson |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Tue, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Traces the development of legal doctrine pertaining to Aboriginal peoples in Canada and the United States, including its shared roots in British colonial law and policy. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history. Students with credit for FNST 443, or HIST 485 or 486 under this topic may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
Traces the development of legal doctrine pertaining to Aboriginal peoples in Canada and the United States, including its shared roots in British colonial law and policy. Prerequisite: 45 units including INDG (or FNST) 101, 201W and one other INDG (or FNST) course; or permission of the instructor. Students with credit for FNST 443W, HIST 443, or HIST 485 or HIST 486 under this topic may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
An examination of an issue or selection of issues in social and political philosophy. Contemporary or historical readings or a mixture of these will be used. Possible topics include: justice, the law and legal systems, sovereignty, power and authority, democracy, liberty and equality. Sometimes the course will focus on the views of historically important political philosophers, such as Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Bentham, Mill and Marx. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 120W (or equivalent), 121, 220, 221, ENV 320W, or REM 320W.
An advanced investigation of central issues and theories in moral philosophy. In any given term, the course may focus on a general theory or concept or concern, for example meta-ethics, utilitarianism, or theories of rights. Sometimes it will focus on a particular problem or problems, such as medical ethics, moral personhood, or free will and moral responsibility. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 120W (or equivalent), 121, 220, 221, ENV 320W, or REM 320W.
An analysis of the Canadian constitution from a theoretical and comparative perspective. Amendment, entrenchment, civil rights. Prerequisite: Six lower division units in political science or permission of the department.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Andrew Heard |
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Tue, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Sovereignty, nationality, jurisdiction, arbitration. Examination of selected cases exemplifying present trends in the international legal order. Prerequisite: Six lower division units in political science or permission of the department.
An examination of the structures and processes and the main substantive decisions of the United Nations and related international organizations. Based upon in-depth study of the UN Charter, the Security Council, General Assembly, Secretary-general and Secretariat and their constitutional and political interactions since 1945, with special attention to the theory and practice of international organization advanced by the principal Western countries, the Soviet Union and Soviet bloc, the People's Republic of China and leading Third World countries. Prerequisite: Six lower division units in political science or permission of the department.
Explores the governance challenges related to immigration and integration in Canada using a public policy approach. The course deals with topics concerning immigrant selection (including immigration categories, temporary/permanent Immigration, intergovernmental agreements, etc.) and focuses on immigrant's integration into society (such as nation-building strategies, integration Indicators and discrimination). Prerequisite: Six lower division units in political science or permission of the department. Students who have taken Selected Topics course POL 359 with this topic may not take this course for further credit.
This course introduces students to the problems involved in the assertion of universal moral standards across political and cultural divides. These issues will be explored at a theoretical level, and in the context of specific human rights controversies. Prerequisite: Eight upper division units in political science or permission of the department.
Prerequisite: Eight upper division units in political science or permission of the department.
The roles of experimental developmental, cognitive, and social psychology in the understanding of behaviour and perceptions of individuals in legal contexts. Topics include eyewitness testimony, autobiographical memory, interviewing, deception detection, and juror decision-making. Prerequisite: PSYC 201W and PSYC 268. Recommended: PSYC 210.
Explores the tendencies of globalization in the cultural realm, which while sparking cross-border communication, also tends to flatten identities into a coercive global norm. Focuses on writing in contexts of political oppression, digital communities, censorship, cultural displacement, terrorism and/or warfare. Prerequisite: 45 units. Breadth-Humanities.
Check with the school for additional relevant courses.
Declared criminology students may not take CRIM 301 for credit.
* when offered as a legal topic
** when offered as the topic Women and the Law
Graduation Requirements
Students must obtain a minimum grade of C- in all required courses. For graduation, students must obtain a minimum 2.25 CGPA, 2.25 UDGPA, 2.25 criminology program CGPA, and 2.25 criminology program UDGPA.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Degree Requirements
For all bachelor of arts (BA) programs, students complete 120 units, which includes
- at least 60 units that must be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
- at least 45 upper division units, of which at least 30 upper division units must be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
- at least 60 units (including 21 upper division units) in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
- satisfaction of the writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements
- an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0, and minimum CGPA and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0 across all units attempted in each subject that is a major, a joint major, a minor, or an extended minor. FASS Departments may define specific requirements for their respective programs.
For students in other Faculties, please check your Faculty's overall degree requirements: /students/calendar/faculties-research.html
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV within the student’s major subject | |
Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division | |
B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth | Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division 6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc 6 units Humanities: B-Hum 6 units Sciences: B-Sci |
6 |
Additional Breadth | 6 units outside the student’s major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements) Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas. |
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