ECON 451Law and Economics
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Economics
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 1 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Legal rules and jurisprudence can have a significant effect on resource allocation. A key question is whether legal regimes affect the optimality of an equilibrium and succeed in bringing society closer to a welfare maximizing outcome. From another perspective, a relevant question is on the objective or motivation behind the enactment of specific legislation. Recent studies suggest that much legislation is consistent with simple welfare concepts developed by economists. The course focuses on these issues with examples drawn from property, contract, tort, and criminal law.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Complete 1 of the following
- Students must be in level 3A or higher
- Complete 1 of the following
- Enrolled in 4G-Economics, H-Economics, or H-Mathematical Economics (BA)
- Enrolled in an Honours program
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Reviewed on UW Flow
100% liked it100% easy100% useful
From 2 ratings and 1 comment on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Phil curry is great. would definitely reccomend especially if you like to share your opinions in class.
Jan 2013 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
10 posts and comments in 10 threads mention ECON 451, November 2015 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2022
Anyone taking Econ 306, Econ 323, PSCI 387, ERS 462 and Econ 451? 0 points, 1 comment
Spring 2020
Alumni of UW, looking back— what was your favourite classes/memories from your uni life? Do you miss any of it? 45 points, 19 comments
u/hippiechan: “I've been reconnecting with my friends from undergrad and it's great! Met lots of cool people there. Best classes I took were probably Classical Mythology (CLAS 104, makes for a great elective) and Law and Economics (ECON 451)”
Fall 2019
Economics (or really anyone) Study Buddy? 2 points, 24 comments
“I have a really hard time studying alone. Is there a way to find someone to study with? How did you guys find your study buddy? …”
u/twofactorial: “What courses you got left fam”
u/coolsoy: “Econ 422, 451 and 371! You in any of those?”
Spring 2019
Econ 451 - Law and Economics 0 points, 0 comments
u/teejay06: “Has anyone taken this course? How is it? Whats the typical breakdown for it?”
Fall 2017
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”
u/Jackhofmann: “… ECON 341 ECON 344 ECON 351 ECON 361 ECON 371 ECON 391 ECON 393 ECON 401 ECON 407 ECON 421 ECON 451 ECON 456 ECON 472 ECON 484 ECON 487 ECON 491 ECON 600 ECON 601 ECON 606 ECON 621 ECON 655 ECON 673 EFAS 32 EFAS 34 EFAS 36 EFAS 42 EFAS 44 EFAS 46 ELPE 100 EMLS 101R EMLS 102R EMLS …”
Spring 2017
Anyone took econ 451 with curry? 2 points, 1 comment
Help Choosing between ECON 487 (Canadian Monteary Policy) and ECON 451 (Law and Economics) 1 point, 1 comment
u/UW_ECON: “Has anyone taken Canadian Monetary Policy (ECON 487) with Jean-Paul Lam and/or Law and Economics (ECON 451) with Phil Curry? How is it in terms of workload and difficulty? Stuck between the two right now.”
ECON 483 and ECON 451 1 point, 1 comment
Winter 2016
What are some of the courses that you have never missed a single lecture for? 8 points, 34 comments
“I know they are rare. ENGL 109 and CS 135 for me.”
u/hippiechan: “I attend most of my lectures anyways, but CLAS 104, ECON 451, and basically any music course are good at keeping students coming back.”
Fall 2015
What are some of the most inspiring/mind-opening courses you've ever taken? 34 points, 45 comments
u/hippiechan: “… ECON 451 - Economics and Law: This course is taught by Phil Curry who is one of my favourite economics profs, and is done in a semi-seminar style course. …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them