1. Foundations of Law (September-October)
a. What is law? What are laws? Law and Morality, Law and Justice
b. History of law, Constitution, Parliament and Legislative Powers, Jurisdiction, the legal system and hierarchy of law and court system.
c. Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Implications for law enforcement, Human Rights.
d. Legal Research
2. Criminal Law (October-December)
a. Elements of crime, classification of crime. Defenses.
b. Laying charges, gathering evidence, court procedures, developing trial theories from the point of view of Crown and Defense counsel. Jury selection. Verdict and sentencing.
c. Mock trials.
d. Criminal Law case studies and exams for discussion; Judicial decisions and IRAC.
3. Tort Law (January-March)
a. Unintentional torts, negligence. Medical malpractice
b. Intentional torts.
c. Paisley Snail, Product liability.
d. Remedies
4. Contract Law (March-April)
a. Contract essentials, performance.
b. Breach of contract, remedies.
c. Case Studies.
5. Family Law (April-May)
a. Marriage
b. Divorce: Division of assets and property, support (spouse/ children), custody and access.
c. Wills and estates
Class Activities and assignments
Sep 4 Introduction to Law: Solomon, Cake Division. See Handouts. Discussion. Looting in Iraq: http://vantech.vsb.bc.ca/ss/pm/law12/2003_4/law12/iraq_looting.ppt
Why do you want to study law?
Sep 8
Video Clip: You'll be the judge. Discussion of Issues
Sample Exam: Read the case and decide on the issues.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/4902236/Law-120
Weblink: How to Reason in Law: http://www.onlineasp.org/analysis/analys04.htm
Sep 10
Discussion of HO. Morality and the Law
Sep 12
Morality and the Law. HO: Judicial Independence
Sep 16
Discussion: Judicial Independence. Reading:
Sep 18
1. Textbooks: Overview; Brief History of Canadian Law; Hierarchy of Canadian Law; Law and Justice; Rule of Law; Types of Law.
2. Discussion: Judicial Independence (see HO)
Sep 24
Stewarts of Justice: Video and Discussion
Sep 26
History of Statute Law; How Laws are Made. Homework: Chapter 3
Sep 30
The Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Introduction. Homework: Chapter 4
Oct 2
Charter of Rights and Freedoms: Digest. Website: "http://www.canlii.org/en/ca/charter_digest/index.html">
Oct 6
Religious Freedom. Case Studies.
Oct 8
Group Work on Rights and Freedom Issues
Oct 10
Group Presentations
Oct 15
Human Rights Cases. Chapter 5
Oct 17
Human Rights Cases
Oct 21
Oct 23
Oct 28
Oct 30
Nov 3
Due: Keegstra Questions; Irving Toy Questions; Human Rights Case Procedure;
Intro to Criminal Law: What is a crime? Notes and Discussion. Crimes in the newspaper. Assignment: Due November 24
Nov 5 The Jury
Nov 7 The Jury
Nov 12 Guest Speaker
Nov 14 Crime Essay due: Short synopsis for the class;
Nov 18 Court Watching. Court Report due Nov 24
Nov 20 Court Watching Debriefing
Nov 24 Preparing your Mock Trial
Nov 28 Preparing your Mock Trial
Dec 4 Mock Trial Presentations
Dec 8 Mock Trial Presentations
Dec 12 Steven Truscott
Dec 16 Debriefing Steven Truscott
Dec 18 Criminal Law Wrap-up
