BA with Concentrated Honours in Law, Justice and Society
An Honours degree is an alternative version of the undergraduate degree, which involves more intensive—and extensive—coursework within Law, Justice & Society, and requires students to maintain higher grades in relevant courses.
The Honours degree is generally chosen by students planning to pursue graduate studies or a professional degree, but it can be a good choice for students who wish to enjoy the experience of an intensive research project - Honours essay (or Honours thesis).
The Honours program provides the opportunity for students to pursue an independent research project, culminating in an Honours essay [or Honours thesis] of approximately 35-45 pages in length. After being admitted to the Program, this research project is undertaken in the 4th year of study, in consultation with a supervisor of the student’s choice. The supervisor is typically, but not required to be, a faculty member who is cross-appointed in LJSO, and/or who is teaching in the field of legal studies in any of the contributing disciplines. Students are encouraged to identify and approach potential supervisors in their third year of study, so they are in place by the time they apply [May 15].
To complete the 120 credit hour Concentrated Honours in LJSO, students must complete the requirements for the BA with a major in Law, Justice & Society, and fulfil the following additional requirements:
1. Honours students are required to take a minimum of 54 and a maximum of 66 credit hours above the 1000-level in LJSO courses (27 credit hours covered by LJSO core courses);
2. Honours students are required to take LJSO 3500.03: Legal Research and Writing, and the Honours Seminar (both LJSO 0400.00 in the Fall term and LJSO 4000.03 in the Winter term), which involves an independent research project culminating in an Honours essay [or Honours thesis]. Together LJSO 0400 and 4000 amount to 3 credit hours, which are extended over the Fall and Winter terms.
3. Honours students are required to take at least one 4000-level seminar course, in addition to the Honours Seminar, from among the available electives (other than POLI 4390.03)
4. Admission to the program is based entirely on academic performance: specifically, it requires a grade average of B+ (3.30) or higher on LJSO courses.
5. Only courses completed with a grade of “C” or better will count toward the degree.
Applications for Honours in LJSO are due by May 15th, during the student’s 3rd year of study, to allow students time to ensure that they have the required courses to complete the degree. Late applications may be accepted at the approval of the Coordinator or Honours Advisor.
The application, which is the standard form for all programs at Dalhousie, is available here.
Once students complete the application, they will submit it to the Honurs Advisor (or Program Coordinator) for review and signature, before submitting it to the Registrar's Office; the address of which is on the top of the form.
Only after a student's application is approved will they be provided an override to enable them to register in the Honours Seminars.
Honours Essay / Honours Seminar
The Honours essay (sometimes called an Honours Thesis) is an opportunity for students to undertake a more sustained scholarly project, featuring theoretical analysis and/or systematic, empirical research. It normally takes the form of a formal essay of approximately 35-45 double-spaced pages in length.
Students in the LJSO Honours program will complete an Honours essay, under the supervision of a faculty member who is chosen by the student, ideally before the end of their third year, and who is typically cross-appointed in LJSO from any of the contributing disciplines. Although it is not necessary for students to have one in place at the time of their application, students are advised to secure an honours supervisor as soon as possible in their third year of study; even before being accepted into the Honours program. Students should expect to meet with their supervisor regularly during their final year of study. mainly in the second half of the Fall and through the Winter term, to report on progress and receive advice on the project.
The Honours essay is associated with two formal courses (the "Honours Seminars" - LJSO 0400.00 in the Fall term and LJSO 4000.03 in the Winter term), which, together, count for a total of 3 credit-hours toward the degree. Participation in the Honours Seminar counts toward the "21st grade”, required by the University.
While the expectations may vary from year to year, students participating in the Honours seminar should expect to give a presentation of their work and will also submit the final written thesis; which will be read and evaluated by the supervisor and a second reader.
First year Honours students are encouraged to select from existing introductory courses across the arts and social sciences such as ASSC1300.03 or ASSC 1400.03. It is recommended that selections include the prerequisites for the LJSO courses that are required at the 2000 and 3000 levels in the disciplines of Political Science, Sociology and/or Anthropology, Philosophy, and History (see below). Students should also make sure that 6 credit hours are taken in courses that satisfy the Writing Requirement (WR). Examples of recommended courses include:
King’s Foundation Year Program and the DalCAP combination of courses also provide suitable entry points.
Second year there are 9 required credit hours at the 2000-level:
Third year there are 12 required credit hours at the 3000-level:
- POLI 3505.03 Human Rights: Foundations
- HIST 3226.03 Law & Justice in Canadian Society to 1890, OR HIST 3227.03 Criminal Law, Crime and Punishment, 1890 to the Present
- LJSO 3000.03 Processes of Justice
- LJSO 3500.03 Legal Research and Writing
Fourth year there are 3 required credit hours (2 courses) at the 4000-level:
Other requirements: Electives
- a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 39 credit hours must be taken from the List of approved Electives; 3 of which must be a 4000-level seminar (other than POLI 4390.03 or LJSO 0400.00/LJSO 4000.03); and at least 6 more at or beyond the 3000 level.