Program Overview

Introduction to the Law and Society Program

The Law and Society program is designed to provide a broad exposure to the nature of law and its role in society. The overall aim of the program is not only to provide students with a deep understanding of the law but also to demonstrate that the law is not an isolated discipline but is a part of an integrated culture of which we all partake. The program is not specifically a "pre-law" program. Nevertheless, the perspectives that it offers are likely to be of great benefit to those who hope to be lawyers, as well as to those considering a career in politics, the civil service, law enforcement, the social sciences, business and industry, or public-interest advocacy.

Program Structure

The Bachelor of Arts degree is offered as either a B.A. or B.A. (Honours), both requiring the completion of 120 units and normally four years of full-time study.

Courses Required in the First Year

• Fall semester:
  • Law and Society 201 or 203
  • Science Option or Open Option
  • Open Option
  • Open Option
  • Open Option
• Winter semester:
  • Law and Society 201 or 203
  • Science Option or Open Option
  • Open Option
  • Open Option
  • Open Option

Recommended courses include:

• Canadian Studies 201
• Communication and Culture 201 or 203
• Indigenous Studies 201
• Political Science 283
• Sociology 201
• South Asian Studies 203
• Statistics 205

Faculty and Program Information

Studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree means that you are a student in the Faculty of Arts. The program that you choose refers to the subject area you’d like your Bachelor of Arts degree to focus on (e.g., Bachelor of Arts, major in History).

Credit and Transfer Information

If you are coming to the University of Calgary with Advanced Placement credit or International Baccalaureate credit, you will follow the same registration process as any first-time university student. You may be eligible to use your transfer credit in your degree program depending on the program you have entered and whether or not the courses are applicable.

Enhancing Your Bachelor of Arts Program

• Co-op and Internship: Get a head start on your career through our co-operative education and internship opportunities. You will gain valuable work experience in your industry—all before you graduate.
• Study Abroad: Experience different cultures, gain a better understanding of world issues, and travel around the globe, all while earning credit towards your degree. The University of Calgary offers exchanges and study abroad programs in 61 different countries.
• Community Service-Learning: Combine your classroom learning with volunteer work that achieves community goals, and see first-hand how your academic learning relates to social issues.
• Arts and Science Honours Academy: Be part of a unique program that combines collaborative study, global opportunities, and academic challenge. The ASHA program brings together 25 like-minded high-achieving students to learn and study in six distinct scholars courses. As an Arts and Science Honours Academy student, you will be one of a class of the best and brightest at the University of Calgary.