Legal Theory Concentration
Our faculty’s legal theory group is among the strongest in the world. Our legal theory scholars are world renowned and award winning. There is, quite simply, no better place to pursue a specialization in this field. Students in the Legal Theory concentration are introduced to multiple theoretical approaches to law across the curriculum, and can also take courses that explore the foundations of legal theory, law and justice, and private law theory and engage with the faculty’s Legal Theory, Law and Economics and Critical Analysis of Law workshops that bring leading scholars to U of T to share their cutting-edge scholarship.
If you're interested in a career in legal academia, you'll likely be particularly drawn to Legal Theory programs. Legal scholars today are often engaged in a variety of doctrinal, policy and theoretical debates.
If you wish to broaden your thinking on the law, you'll find that this concentration offers a high-level, demanding and rewarding approach,
Admission requirements for the Legal Theory concentration are the same as for the general LLM program. Students who wish to be considered for admission to the Legal Theory concentration are encouraged to demonstrate their interest in and suitability for the concentration in their personal statement. Applicants to the thesis LLM program with a Legal Theory concentration, are expected to be pursuing a thesis in Legal Theory or a related area. Admission to the program is competitive and not everyone who applies to the concentration will be admitted. If you are not accepted into the Legal Theory concentration, you may still be accepted into the LLM program.
For more information about our program and admission process (including how to apply), please review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
All students in this concentration may pursue either the LL.M. program coursework-only option, or the long or short thesis option.
Coursework-only option (28 course credits):
Students in the concentration who pursue the coursework-only option would complete 28 course credits in the LLM program. Students pursuing this option would complete:
- LLM Seminar (1 credit).
- At least 12 credits of courses from an approved list of Legal Theory courses, including the mandatory 3-credit course Foundations of Legal Theory.
- It may be possible for students to take specific graduate courses in the Philosophy Department in fulfillment of their concentration credits, with the permission of the Associate Dean (Graduate).
- Additional courses, either within or outside of the list of Legal Theory courses, to bring them to 28 total credits in the program.
- A writing requirement, by either:
- Designating a three (3) or four (4) credit course, related to the area of concentration, as a writing requirement course and producing one piece of writing that is at least 5,000 words (or approximately 20 pages)
- Only courses requiring a written assignment of at least 5,000 words will qualify as a designated writing requirement course.
- Completing a two (2) or three (3) credit directed research project on a topic related to Legal Theory, requiring a written assignment of 7,000 and 10,500 words, respectively.
- Designating a three (3) or four (4) credit course, related to the area of concentration, as a writing requirement course and producing one piece of writing that is at least 5,000 words (or approximately 20 pages)
Short thesis option (24 course credits):
If students in the concentration opt to prepare a short thesis of 50-60 pages (15,000 words), they would complete 24 credits in the program. Students pursuing this option would complete:
- Alternative Approaches to Legal Scholarship (3 credits) and LLM Seminar (1 credit).
- A short, 4-credit thesis in a subject related to Legal Theory.
- At least 8 credits of Legal Theory coursework from an approved list of Legal Theory courses, including the mandatory 3-credit course Foundations of Legal Theory.
- It may be possible for students to take specific graduate courses in the Philosophy Department in fulfillment of their concentration credits, with the permission of the Associate Dean (Graduate).
- In addition to a 4-credit thesis, students would take 8 additional credits of coursework, either from the list of Legal Theory courses, or from outside of that list.
Long thesis option (24 course credits):
If students in the concentration opt to prepare a longer thesis of 150 pages (45,000 words), they would also complete 24 credits in the program. Students pursuing this option would complete:
- Alternative Approaches to Legal Scholarship (3 credits) and LLM Seminar (1 credit).
- A longer, 16-credit thesis in a subject related to Legal Theory.
- The mandatory 3-credit course Foundations of Legal Theory.
- Up to 1 additional credits of coursework, either from the approved list of Legal Theory courses, or from outside of that list.
Your course selection will be reviewed in order to ensure that an appropriate number of credits are devoted to legal theory.
As a student in this concentration, you’ll likely take interest in attending our Colloquium, which brings leading legal and political philosophers from around the world to present their work in progress. The colloquium provides a regular forum for both faculty and students to discuss central topics.
The Colloquium can be attended on a for-credit or non-credit basis.- Advanced Contracts: The Law of Contractual Interpretation
- Animal Law Seminar: The Laws of Human and Animal Relations
- Comparative Freedom of Expression
- Democracy, Politics and the Law
- Foundations of Legal Theory
- Hegel's Legal Philosophy
- Intensive Course: Private Law Before Liberalism
- John Rawls' Theory of Justice: An Introduction
- Law and Literature
- Psychoanalysis and Law
- The War Against the Rule of Law
- Topics in Contract Law and Contract Theory
- Workshop: Critical Analysis of Law
- Workshop: Legal Theory
The LLM does not qualify foreign-trained candidates to practise law in Ontario.
View our NCA-related offerings or contact the National Committee on Accreditation for information on practising law in Ontario.