 1.svg)
Program Overview
Law and Politics
Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences @ UWindsor
Program Overview & Highlights
- Honours 4-Year Program
- Thesis Available
- B.A.
Beyond a reasonable doubt, this is an elite program popular with elite students who have an average of 85% or above. Focusing on the legal aspects of philosophy, history, criminology, sociology, politics, and government, there aren’t many other programs like it around. Use it to prepare for law school or an array of other careers. In this program you won’t just be a number. It’s a close-knit department where your professors will know your name.
The perfect program to begin your journey towards Law school or public office
Travel to NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium in our popular study abroad course
A close-knit program where your professors know you by name
What Lancers Are Saying
The fact that this program is small works to the students' advantage because it allows us to have more time with and attention from professors, which many other students do not have the privilege of having. I was able to have actual conversations with professors outside of the classroom which let me feel more welcome and open to asking for help. The ability to now understand complex legal and political frameworks combined with research skills will assist me in more easily navigating the new realm that will be the workplace. One of the things that I took advantage of was a study abroad course to Belgium. We were able to attend meetings with diplomats and engage in conversation about current geopolitics, with a focus on the European Union. This helped me learn about the vast scope of the EU's influence, as well as reconsider career paths that I never thought would be possible before! The study abroad experience was invaluable when it came to preparation for a successful future career. It allowed me to create connections with powerful diplomats through discussion and meetings held, as well as gain a deeper understanding of current geopolitics and international relations specifically catered towards the EU. Being able to interact with diplomats and professionals within the field created networking opportunities which are essential for career development. Furthermore, actually travelling to locations such as NATO Headquarters exposed me to real-world applications of the theories and facts learned in class which is needed in order to be prepared to work in the field and apply the knowledge that I have studied for years at this point. Finally, it helped me understand that there are other routes other than just going to law school. Being a lawyer is not the only option when in this program, and realizing this gave me the confidence needed to pursue a career that I will truly love!
Dina Jaber
Student
Law and Politics
I wouldn’t trade my time in the Law & Politics program for anything. The incredible professors I met and experiences I had paved the way for my path forward. Working on research with some of our professors inspired me to aim for a career in academia. I also took advantage of the courses taught in French at the faculty and am currently taking almost all of my law courses at McGill in French, which I don’t think I would have been able to do had it not been for the vocabulary and writing skills gained in those French-language Political Science classes.
Émilie Weidl
Alumni
Law and Politics
Faculty & Staff
Student Recruitment Officer
Selena Randhawa
Recruiter - Business, FAHSS, Law, Education
Recruitment & Outreach Coordinator
Sheri Lowrie
FAHSS Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator
Selena Randhawa
Recruiter - Business, FAHSS, Law, Education
Admission Requirements
High School Student from Canada
- Course Requirements: English/ENG4U (min. avg. 60%)
- Minimum Average: 80%
- Mean Average: 90.5%
Entry to this program requires a minimum high school admission average of 85% and a minimum final high school average no lower than 80% at the time of high school graduation.
High School Student from Outside Canada and the United States (International)
- Course Requirements: Grade 12 English
- Minimum Average: 85%
- Mean Average: 86%
Career Tracks
- Lawyer
- legal consultant
- government service official
- law enforcement officer
- policy analyst
- border services official
- Administrator
- Business advisor
- Community organizer
- Court monitor
- Development analyst
- Development officer
- Human resources manager
- Immigration agent
- Journalist
- Legal consultant
- Local government official
- Marketing manager
- Media analyst
- Political aide
- Professor
- Public official
- Public relations officer
- Reporter
- Research co-ordinator
- Teacher
Related Programs
- Political Science
- Political Science with French Specialization
- International Relations and Development Studies
- Interdisciplinary Arts and Science
Plan Your Program
Term: Fall 2025
Important Notes
- ENGL-1010 is required for all FAHSS Majors. Students with 80% or higher in Grade 12 ENG4U (or equivalent) are exempt from this course requirement and will substitute it with an additional course from any area of study.
- All FAHSS programs require students to take one course with Indigenous content, perspectives, or materials. This can be done at any time during the student’s undergraduate education. See this link for course options: Not all Indigenous content courses are offered every term.
- Language courses count as Arts or Science courses.
Required Course Notes
Major Courses
- POLS 1000 (Section 01)
- One of:
- POLS 1300
- POLS 1600
Required Course
- ENGL 1010
Recommended Other Courses
- GART 1210 (see note 2)
- PHIL 1600
- One Social Science or
- One Arts/Language or Science
Required Courses
ENGL 1010: Academic Writing
An introduction to the fundamentals of effective writing in academic contexts. Topics may include language, essay writing conventions, critical thinking, research, editing and revising, and academic integrity. (1.5 lecture, 1.5 laboratory hours per week.) (Arts elective only; does not count for credit in the major or minor Fall 2025 Undergraduate Calendar 104 course requirements of any English or English and Creative Writing degree programs.) (Credit cannot be obtained for both ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1001 or GART 1510.)
PHIL 1600: Reasoning Skills
An explanation of, and practice in, the basic knowledge, skills and attitudes which are essential components of reasoning well. Topics include: the role of language; evaluating sources (including from the internet); analyzing, evaluating and diagramming arguments; inference strength; writing an extended piece of reasoning. (1.5 lecture, 1.5 lab hour per week)
POLS 1000: Introduction to Canadian Government and Politics
An introduction to the politics and government of Canada. The course will focus on political culture, the constitution, federalism, the executive, parliament, public service, courts, political parties, interest groups, and elections. (3 lecture hours or 2 lecture hours, 1 tutorial hour a week.)
POLS 1300: Comparative Politics in a Changing World
Introduces students to issues such as democracy, authoritarianism, nationalism, political culture, and how political power is organized. The course focuses on the democratic states of the West, but also examines non-democratic states such as China and the transitional democracies of Eastern Europe. (3 lecture hours or 2 lecture hours, 1 tutorial hour a week.)
POLS 1600: Introduction to International Relations
An examination of competing perspectives on international relations and of such critical themes as power, security, war, imperialism, nationalism, interdependence, development and underdevelopment, human rights, environmental concerns, and the quest for a new world order. (3 lecture hours or 2 lecture hours, 1 tutorial hour a week.)
Recommended Courses
GART 1210: An Introduction into Indigenous Topics
This course introduces students to Indigenous histories, perspectives, and modern realities through an Indigenous lens. The role of colonization is introduced as Indigenous relationships on Turtle Island changed as a result of contact and colonization. This survey course provides a learning opportunity for students to engage in Indigenous pedagogy and worldview as they learn how history impacts the contemporary lives of Indigenous people. Through exploring relationships, this course engages critical reading, writing and thinking skills through course lectures and seminar activities. The history of relations assists in understanding how colonization’s policies and statutory documents thereafter affected Indigenous peoples, such as the Royal Proclamation, Treaties, the Indian Act, the British North America Act (1867), and the Constitution Act (1982). Today, these colonial-state governance documents are a significant part of Indigenous-Crown and Indigenous-settler relations. (2 lecture hours and 1 tutorial hour per week.) (Also offered as SOSC-1210.)
