vcc.ca
CRIM 1160: The Canadian Legal System
Effective date
September 2016
Department
UT Humanities
School
Arts and Sciences
Description
This course focuses on the history, development and present day operations of the Canadian legal system with special reference to the effects of Canadian Law on Aboriginal Peoples. The course will cover: constitutional law; administrative law; civil liberties; the court system; and, the functions of lawyers and judges. This course overviews the history of Canadian law and the system of the Canadian courts. Throughout this course we will consider the nature of legal reasoning, the doctrine of precedent, principles of statutory interpretation, as well as introduce the fields of contract, torts, administrative law, and family law. The process of law reform in Canada will also be examined.
Credits
3.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- explore different conceptions of the purposes, nature and roles of law in Canadian society, including those expressed about, and by Aboriginal peoples.
- compare different conceptions on the relationship between morality and ethics, and the law.
- compare historical and modern sources of Canadian law, and how it is created and changed.
- describe the process of the establishment of the legal regime in Canada.
- understand the nature of legal reasoning, the doctrine of precedent, and methods of legal interpretation. To compare these methods of the determination of law to Aboriginal processes for establishing and maintaining social order.
- identify the purposes, structures and functions of the components of the legal system in Canada.
- understand the nature of Constitutions and the development of Canada’s constitution.
- explain the implications of important treaties, legislation (especially the Indian Act), statutes, and cases that directly impact Aboriginal peoples.
- understand the structure and functioning of the Canadian system of courts, and the expertise, authority, roles and duties of lawyers, judges and other legal personnel.
- describe the purposes, nature and functioning of tort, family, administrative and criminal law.
- describe the purposes, nature, and functioning of human rights, the Canadian Charter, and the role of international law in Canada and their significance for Aboriginal peoples.
- apply Canadian law to specific sets of facts and to be able to conduct basic legal research.
- consider the significance of learned legal constructs on Aboriginal peoples.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 60
Total Hours: 60
Total Hours: 60
Instructional Strategies
Lectures, Class and Group Discussion, Library Research and Field Trips
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
D
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Participation |
10 |
|
|
Field Experience |
15 |
Courtroom observation and written reflection (700 words) |
|
Project |
20 |
20-30 minute oral presentation, including audio-visual support |
|
Project |
20 |
Written summarization of Aboriginal Law presentation (700 words) |
|
Final Exam |
30 |
|
|
Quizzes/Tests |
5 |
|
Course topics
- Constitutional Law
- Legal Reasoning, the doctrine of precedent, and principles of statutory interpretation
- Aboriginal Law
- Criminal Law
- Torts of Intention and Negligence
- Court Orientation and Observation
- Family Law
- Administrative Law
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.