Understanding Canadian Law – CourseOutline

CLU3M DRAFT VERSION ONLY

Course Description

The study of the Canadian legal system is an essential part of Canadian studies. An understanding of the process of the legal system is a vital part of the operation of a democratic and orderly society. Students who understand the processes of the law in our society are much more likely to be effective members of Canadian society. They are also be better equipped to understand and appreciate the dynamic nature of the law in response to social change as well as the traditional values the law seeks to uphold.

This course explores legal issues that directly affect your lives. To develop an appreciation of the Canadian legal system, you will examine the historical roots of Canadian law and expand on your understanding of the role of government in making laws. You will also become familiar with the rights and freedoms that all Canadians enjoy as a result of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. You will acquire a practical knowledge of Canada’s legal system, both criminal and civil, and learn how to analyse legal issues. You will be given opportunities to develop informed opinions on legal issues and to defend those opinions and communicate legal knowledge in a variety of ways and settings, including legal research projects, and mock trials and class discussions.

Units: Titles and Time

Unit 1 / Heritage / 20 hours
Unit 2 / Rights and Freedoms / 20 hours
Unit 3 / Criminal Law and Procedures / 35 hours
Unit 4 / Regulation and Dispute Resolution / 35 hours

Evaluation Structure:

Term Work – 70 %

Knowledge and Understanding / 20%
Thinking and Inquiry / 15%
Application / 20%
Communication / 15%

Term evaluation will consist of three main areas:

Day to day course and small assignments will either be checked for completeness or submitted for evaluation. These assignments will only be assigned one final submission date. If an assignment is being marked, students will have until the assignment is handed back to submit their work. A word of caution, do not rely on this window as some assignments will be marked in class. In order to best evaluate your most consistent effort, the lowest mark in each category will be dropped. Missing more than one assignment in each category will have the effect of a zero (0).

Tests will also be graded according to the four areas of achievement listed above. If you write all tests, your lowest test score will not count towards your final grade. Students with a legitimate absence (school event or parental consent) will be provided with an opportunity to write a missed unit test at a later date. Students with an unexplained absence will not be allowed to write the unit test. Missed tests will only have the effect of a zero (0) if you miss more than one unit test.

Each unit will include a culminating activity. These are major activities and will have a first submission date to allow for improvement of work and resubmission, as well as a final submission date. NOTE: Unless prior arrangements have been made, no work will be accepted after the final submission date unless there was a medical or family emergency.

Heritage /
  • Create a constitution / code of behaviour

Rights and Freedoms /
  • Legal Report on a Human Rights Violation

Criminal Law /
  • Mock Trial

Regulation and Dispute Resolution /
  • Family Law Simulation
  • Real vs. Hollywood “Tort” Action
  • Negotiation Simulation

The Final 30%

10% - Course Culminating Activity

Students will prepare a public information legal pamphlet developed in small groups to explain a particular aspect of private law to the general public. Students can use a variety of technologies in their research as well as a presentation of the final product to the class. A quiz on the presentations will also count as part of this mark.

20% - Final Exam

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