LGAP 1103: Introduction to the Canadian Legal System
Effective date
September 2013
Department
BC Campus - Office & Legal Adm
School
Hospitality, Food Studies and Applied Business
Description
The primary purpose of this course is to provide the student with a general understanding and working knowledge of the Canadian legal system.
This course is part of the Legal Administrative Assistant (Online)Program.
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify the hierarchy and structure of the Canadian and BC Courts
- Understand the importance of our constitution and of The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
- Identify the federal and provincial areas of legislative jurisdiction
- Articulate and apply basic principles of law in the subject areas of torts, contracts and criminal law
- Recognize restrictions on non-lawyers and the various ethical duties imposed on members of the legal profession as defined in the Rules of Professional Conduct and the Legal Profession Act
- Identify the role of judges, their ethical duties, and the importance of the independence of the judiciary
- Read cases and identify the key principles
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Practicum, Self-Paced, Individual Learning: 45
Total Hours: 45
Instructional Strategies
Assigned readings, research and reinforcement activities assigned by your instructor are your principal learning activities. It is expected that you will communicate online regularly with your instructor and classmates using the course email, discussion, and chat utilities.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Evaluation Plan
Type
|
Percentage
|
Assessment activity
|
Quizzes/Tests
|
20
|
2 review quizzes each worth 10%
|
Assignments
|
20
|
Legal Ethics Problems
|
Midterm Exam
|
25
|
Midterm Exam
|
Final Exam
|
25
|
Final Exam
|
Participation
|
10
|
Participation
|
Course topics
- Overview of the Canadian legal system, including Quebec's civil code system
- Introduction to the Constitution and to The Charter of Rights
- Federal and Provincial jurisdiction
- Overview of Canadian court structure, including federal and provincial jurisdiction
- The importance of the Charter of Rights, including reading of sample cases
- Lawyers, judges and ethical principles
- Tort, contract and criminal 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.