Jiire Fowler: Manan Shah Memorial Scholarship recipient

Meet Jiire Fowler! Jiire came to Carleton from the Niagara area and is entering her third year of an Honours BA with a major in Law and a minor in Community Engagement. Jiire is this year’s recipient of the Manan Shah Memorial Scholarship and has been involved in many extra curricular activities both in and out of the department. 

1. What led you to decide to pursue your BA at Carleton?

I chose to pursue my BA at Carleton because it was one of the few schools in Canada to offer an undergraduate law program. Carleton’s Law and Legal Studies program focuses on exploring law through an interdisciplinary approach, which appealed to me. I knew this program would challenge me to develop exceptional critical thinking skills, which will equip me not only for a potential career but also for being a global citizen. Additionally, I was excited by the capital city advantage and Ottawa’s proximity to major government and legal institutions, which would provide unique opportunities to advance my learning. 

2. Do you have a favourite part of your program (whether a specific course or instructor, or something else)?

My favourite part of the Law and Legal Studies program is the courses! I love both the readings and the interactive approach to learning that the program offers. Specifically, I really enjoyed LAWS 2202: Obligations, with Professor David Dwoskin. I learned about legal obligations in different areas of private law, such as Trust, Torts, and Contracts. My favourite part of the course was the interactive nature of the class, as it followed a Socratic format, we as students, led learning through answering the professor’s prompts. I found the opportunity to take ownership of my learning in collaboration with my peers to be exhilarating. 

3. What are you hoping to do after graduation, and what do you hope to gain from your degree?

After graduation, I hope to attend law school and pursue a career in civil litigation, advocating for the most marginalized members of society. As for now, as I complete my degree, I hope to gain more opportunities for experiential learning to see how what I am learning in the classroom manifests in the real world. 

4. Any advice for incoming students?

I would advise incoming students to immerse themselves in their education! Do your best to complete your assigned readings, participate in classes, put your best effort into assignments, and most importantly, use your resources and reach out for help! Not only is being an engaged student likely to improve your grades, but it also makes the process of learning, and not just ‘going through the motions,’ fun and engaging, making your educational experience so much more enjoyable!