Department of Social Science
Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Secondary School
Course Code:
Course Name:
Level:
Student Name: ________________________
CLU 3M1
Understanding
Textbook #: __________
Canadian Law
Grade 11 College / University
Course Description:
This course explores legal issues that directly affect students’ lives. To develop an appreciation of
the Canadian legal system, students examine the historical roots of Canadian law and expand on
their understanding of the role of government in making laws. Students also become familiar with
the rights and freedoms that all Canadians enjoy as a result of the Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms. Students acquire a practical knowledge of Canada’s legal system, both criminal and civil,
and learn how to analyse legal issues. They are 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 debates.
Overall Course Expectations or Strands: (in keeping with the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations)
Heritage
· 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.
Rights and Freedoms
· 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 in Ontario.
Criminal Law and Procedures
· summarize what constitutes a crime or regulatory offence in Canada;
· describe the processes, legal institutions, and methods involved in bringing a criminal case to trial;
· explain the structure and role of the Canadian court system in criminal law;
· analyse 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.
Regulation and Dispute Resolution
· 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;
· analyse the role of law as it applies to contractual obligations and claims for compensation for personal injury or
loss.
My signature below indicates that I have read the Course Handout, and I am in agreement with its contents.
Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature: _________________________ Date: _______________
Student’s Signature: ________________________________
Date: _______________
Resources:
Course Timeline:
Unit
Unit
Unit
Unit
1
2
3
4
–
–
–
–
Heritage
Rights and Freedoms
Criminal Law and Procedures
Regulation and Dispute Resolution
20
20
45
25
hours
hours
hours
hours
Culminating Summative Tasks will be administered
towards the end of the course and will be weighted
at 10% of the final mark.
All timelines as stated are approximate.
The course will use a variety of resources which
will be distributed to students during the course.
The text and all other resources assigned to
each student are the responsibility of the
student.
Resource for this course includes:

Law in Action – textbook
Students must provide their own:
 Pen, notebook, pencil, paper
Any textbook damage incurred will result in
payment for replacement.
COST = $90
Evaluation Policies
1. Student marks will be determined by evaluating process & product according to 4 categories (see
below) & 4 levels of the Achievement Chart as found in the Ministry Policy document for Canadian
and World Studies.
Evaluation Structure::
Knowledge/Understanding
25%
Application
25%
Communication
25%
Thinking
25%
Term Evaluations = 70% of the final mark. Final Evaluation = 30% of the final mark.
Final 30% Evaluations will include: Final exam = 20% & Mock Trial = 10%
2. Feedback will also be provided for student learning skills. Independent work, collaboration,
organization, responsibility, self-regulation and initiative are assessed apart from student
achievement in the four categories outlined above and will conform to the coding:
E – Excellent
G – Good
S – Satisfactory
N - Needs Improvement
3. Assignments submitted after the due date established by the teacher will receive a penalty in
accord with our Board Assessment & Evaluation Policy Document as outlined in the student agenda.
4. Should a student miss an evaluation due to a legitimate absence, in accord with our Board A&E
Policy Document, the student and teacher will make arrangements to address the missed
evaluation in a timely manner. In the cases of extended vacation or prolonged absence,
consultation with the appropriate administrator is required.
5. In the event that the student does not make up the missed evaluation(s), a zero may be assigned.
If it is determined that the evaluation(s) has/have been missed as a result of a skip/truancy or
has/have been plagiarized, a zero may be assigned.
6. For all other cases of absence and/or missed evaluations (including absence during the final
examination period), please refer to our Board A&E Policy as outlined in the student agenda.
7. Efforts will be made to meet the individual learning needs of students to promote student success
with respect to meeting the expectations of this course.
May God bless your efforts this semester!