COURSE NAME:   Understanding Canadian Law

COURSE CODE:   CLU3M1

LEVEL:  Grade 11, University/College  

v     Heritage

By the end of this course, students will

¨        Explain what law is and why societies have laws and describe the different categories of law;

¨        Identify the historical roots of Canadian law;

¨        Explain who is responsible for law-making in Canada and how laws are developed, interpreted, applied, challenged and enforced.

v     Rights and Freedoms

By the end of this course, students will

¨        Describe the sources of Canadian rights and freedoms and explain how rights and freedoms may differ and conflict;

¨        Identify historical and contemporary barriers to the equal enjoyment of human rights in Canada and evaluate their effects;

¨        Describe the rights and freedoms enshrined in Canadian law and explain how they are interpreted, how they may be limited, and how they are enforced in Canada and Ontario.

v     Criminal Law and Procedures

By the end of this course, students will

¨        Summarize what constitutes a crime or a regulatory offence in Canada;

¨        Describe the processes, legal institutions, and methods involved in bringing a criminal case to trial;

¨        Explain the structure and the role of the Canadian court system in criminal law;

¨        Analyze the principles of sentencing, including those relating to alternative methods of imposing sanctions or regulating behaviour;

¨        Explain how the criminal law applies to young people.

v     Regulation and Dispute Resolution

By the end of this course, students will

¨        Distinguish between civil and criminal law;

¨        Describe the processes, legal institutions, and methods involved in bringing a civil dispute to trial and resolution;

¨        Explain how the law applies to family matters;

¨      Analyze the role of law as it applies to contractual obligations and claims for compensation for personal injury or loss.

v     Methods of Legal Inquiry

By the end of this course, students will

¨        Use research methods appropriately to gather, organize, and synthesize information;

¨        Evaluate the credibility of sources;

¨        Demonstrate an understanding of the dynamic nature of law, including the way in which it evolves in response to technology and changes in societal values;

¨        Explain, discuss, and interpret legal issues, orally and in writing, using a variety of formats.

Unit One: Legal  Heritage                                                    

Unit Two: Rights and Freedoms                              

Unit Three: Criminal Law and Procedures

Unit Four: Civil Law