Law and Justice Studies

ENGL 110: College Composition is about thinking and writing. You will learn how to develop and express informed opinions on issues that matter. You will also learn about research, editing, and expository and persuasive academic writing forms.

PEAC 100 Introduction to Peace Studies I offers an introduction to the foundational concepts of peace studies:  peace, conflict, violence and non-violence.  Students will gain an understanding and engage in critical analysis of historical and current nonviolence movements for social change with the goal of equipping them to help build cultures of peace.

SOC 120: Introduction to Sociology I introduces students to the discipline. The sociological perspective is examined, along with the associated concepts and methods. Attention is directed to major areas such as culture, socialization, stratification and deviance. Students have an opportunity to research topics of interest.

LAW 120: Rural Legal Issues I is a one-credit course designed to introduce learners to the legal profession. Information will be provided on pathways into the legal profession and the career potentials in the legal field. Students will also learn about the Canadian legal system and law in general.

ENGL 111: Introduction to Literature is about living more intensely. Rather than providing answers, literature prompts us to ask better questions of ourselves and each other. Drama, poetry, short stories, and novels will guide us in discussion, reflection, and writing about literature.

LAW 121: Rural Legal Issues II is a one-credit course which will build upon the knowledge gained in LAW 120. In particular, the course will focus on the unique challenges facing legal professionals in a rural area, including the need to have a broad understanding of a variety of legal issues and the challenges surrounding equal access to justice in rural areas.

PEAC 101: Peace Studies II is the second of two introductory core courses in Peace Studies at Selkirk College. This course will focus on traditional and non-traditional approaches to Conflict Resolution transformation. Students will be introduced to conflict theory and conflict analysis, as well as conflict transformation strategies ranging from general principles and key concepts in arbitration, negotiation non-violent action, mediation, reconciliation and forgiveness, and alternative dispute resolution including, non-violent communication, peacemaking circles, conflict transformation, and conflict free conflict resolution. Students will practice identifying, analyzing, role playing, mapping, and peacefully resolving or transforming conflicts that range from the interpersonal to the international.

PHIL 120: Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking is designed to improve students' ability to reason well. Students will study the nature, structure, and purpose of valid arguments, identify common fallacies and mistakes, and determine when to use various forms of reasoning (e.g., deductive, inductive, and abductive). Students will sharpen their understanding of these concepts by analyzing and assessing arguments in the courts, news, and other contemporary media.

SOC 121: Introduction to Sociology II examines the social life as it occurs in families, formal organizations, religion, political movements and other social systems. Student research projects are part of the course.

PEAC 201: From Water to Chocolate: Environment, Conflict and Justice is an examination of selected global political-ecological issues, including conflict minerals, child slavery, climate change, and water wars; as well as the power and potential of various pathways to peace, including nonviolent direct action, Indigenous solidarity, fair trade, international accompaniment, ecological restoration, and environmental peace-building.

SOC 200: Deviance and Social Control analyzes the processes by which some behaviour comes to be identified as deviant and the social means of control of such behaviour through the criminal justice system are examined analytically.

ADMN 272 This course is an introduction to law as it applies to business. The development of the courts and the machinery of justice will be outlined. A study will then be made of torts and negligence, and of contracts including their formation, interpretation, breach, assignment and discharge. Methods of carrying on business such as employer/employee, proprietorship, partnership, agency and incorporation will be introduced and compared.

SOC 205: Introduction to Social Research introduces students to research methods in the social sciences. Students will be introduced to the major procedures for carrying out systematic investigation of the social world. It will encourage students to critically evaluate the methods, strategies and data that are used by social scientists and provide training in analysis of a range of qualitative and quantitative data.

ANTH 201: Ethnic Relations is an introduction to the comparative study of 'race' from local to international contexts. The course explores social stratification according to race and ethnicity and looks at the motivations and consequences of such classifications and their relationships to other forms of stratification.

LAW 122: Rural Legal Issues III is a one-credit course which builds on the knowledge gained in LAW 120 and 121 with an emphasis on professionalism and both oral and written communication. Learners will complete a major legal research and writing project in this course as well as an oral presentation.

PEAC 203: Introduction to Restorative Justice: Theory and Practice explores the theory and practice of restorative justice. Themes include retribution, punishment and deterrence; Indigenous approaches to justice; trauma and healing; shame and empathy; community, belonging, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Students will gain familiarity with the process models of victim-offender mediation, family-group conferencing, and peacemaking circles; and will learn how restorative practices are being used in our schools.