Current students

The Legal Studies Honours Thesis is an independent research project on a subject of your own choosing. The Honours Thesis program presents the opportunity to further develop your critical-thinking and analytical skills, while enhancing your understanding of how to access and use legal materials. Drawing on the guidance and support of a Legal Studies supervisor, you are responsible for conceiving and executing their particular research project. You might pursue an Honours Thesis project to enhance your research and writing skills, work one-on-one with a supervisor from the Legal Studies program, and prepare for graduate-level scholarship.

Eligibility

You must have a GPA of 3.70 to be eligible to be admitted into the Honours Thesis program. Exceptions may be made for a GPA of 3.50 or above, subject to recommendation from a prospective supervisor as well as faculty approval. If you do not pursue an Honours Thesis project, you will be expected to enrol in LGLS 4099U Legal Studies Integrating Project, a course dedicated to the development of a research project alongside other students, with less-extensive requirements around research and writing.

Apply to register in the Honours Thesis program by submitting to Academic Advising a statement of intent outlining the proposed methodology and theoretical significance of their proposed research project. Academic Advising accepts applications on a rolling basis until September.

Process

Generally, by the end of the Fall-term course Honours Thesis I, you would submit a literature review, which showcases what has been published on a topic. You would provide a summary and synthesis of the available literature, as well as critical appraisal of its strengths and weaknesses.

The project initiated in Honours Thesis I is developed through further research and writing, culminating in the submission of an honours thesis by the end of the Winter-term course Honours Thesis II. An honours thesis is a specific scholarly project on a well-defined topic, to be determined in consultation with a thesis supervisor.

Examples of completed projects

• Prostitution and Law in Canada: Safety, Stigma and Nuisance. Shelby Aggiss-Norton.
• A Socio-Legal Critical Analysis of Refugee Claims to Canada on the Basis of Sexual Orientation from Mexico. Rachel Calvelli.
• A Study of Jamaican Immigrants Admitted under the Federal Skilled Worker Class. Carolyn Carter.
• Membership and Long-Term Permanent Residents: The Implications of Deportation, Criminality, and Immigration Law. Daniel Elmadany.
• Prostitution in Canada: An Analysis of the Most Appropriate Legislative Response. Shaina Hodgson.
• Colonialism in Canada: The Effects of Post-Colonialism on the Continued Marginalization of Aboriginal Women in Law. Megan Jamieson.
• Challenging the Gender Binary: Transgender Rights. Mackenzie McFarlane.
• The Crisis of the Future: Forced Migration, Climate Change and International Protection, Dallia Mitchell.
• Self-Determination in the First Nations Land Management Act. Kristen Sullivan.
• Same-Sex Marriage and Assisted Reproductive Technologies: Access to Genetic Families for Same-Sex Couples or a Further Violation of Equality Rights? Nicole Walker.

The FSSH Experiential Learning office serves students from all Bachelor of Arts programs, arranging placements and internships for students in a wide variety of workplace environments. The office therefore has experience and an established network of contacts for catering to students enrolled in the Legal Studies program. For more information, visit the Experiential Learning office page. 

Examples of placements

Previous placements for Legal Studies students have included:

• Innocence Canada
• Canadian Environmental Law Association
• Community Justice Alternatives
• John Howard Society of Durham
• Sport Law & Strategy Group
• Superior Court of Justice
  
• Women's Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham

Student testimonials

"My Practicum placement was at a law office in Oshawa and I owe a lot of my success to that experience. The skills I developed as a legal assistant provided a strong foundation for my professional career. My experiences in the Practicum course play a big role in my day to day work and also prove to be a big boost to my resumé. I strongly believe the Practicum program prepared me for the working world post-graduation and provided me with great references and experiences. I work with other graduates from other universities who did not have the opportunity to have a hands-on practicum and they envy my experience."
- Ryan Mills, Legal Studies

"When I first applied for the Practicum course, I never imagined being blessed with such a fulfilling experience. I have learned many valuable life lessons and skills I can apply in any future career setting. The organization I worked with helps multicultural women find the counselling they need. Many of them, whether they are permanent residents or immigrants, don't know where to turn for help. My project opened my eyes to the fact that there are more than just often-expensive legal services available."
- Sandra Edobar, Legal Studies