The Workshop, also known as the Osgoode Society Legal History Workshop, takes place on Wednesday evenings via Zoom (only) throughout 2025-2026. It meets approximately seven times in each term, on roughly alternate Wednesdays. The schedule for the first term will be arranged during the summer of 2025 and will be available by August. The schedule for the second term will be arranged during the first term and will be available by the end of November. Students must enroll in the course for the full year.
For each session, a different presenter will circulate a draft paper in advance. The topic may encompass any aspect of legal history, from any jurisdiction or time period. Most will involve Canadian or American topics. Students enrolled in the course for credit are not expected to present a paper, but to read the papers, participate in the discussion and critique the work at each session. Through exposure to diverse topics and approaches in legal history, students will develop an appreciation for the methodologies and modes of analysis employed in the study and writing of legal history.
In addition to JD students, workshop attendees include graduate students and faculty from the University of Toronto and York, as well as members of the profession and other interested parties. Most will come from faculties of law or departments of history.
All members of the law school community are welcome to attend any session. JD students or graduate students may register for credit. Although no prior background in history is required, some exposure to historical studies at the university level will be beneficial.
Method of Evaluation:
The workshop is conducted via Zoom. Assessment comprises two components:
1. Workshop Attendance and Participation (20%)
Students must attend a minimum of 10 workshop sessions, submit four (4) reflection papers (500 words each) based on these sessions, and contribute actively to workshop discussions.
2. Research Paper (80%)
Students must submit a final research essay of 7,000 words on an approved legal history topic (excluding bibliography and footnotes), complete and submit required interim components throughout the term (e.g., proposal, bibliography, outline, draft). The instructor must approve the topic in advance.
Important Note:
Students must complete and pass all components (both participation/reflections and the research paper) to receive credit for the course.