Social Science Department
St. Marguerite d’Youville S.S.
10815 Dixie Road, Brampton, Ontario. L6R 2W5
Telephone: (905) 789-5560 Fax: (905) 789-1143
Course Name:
Course Code:
Instructor:
Period:
Room Number:
Canadian Law
CLU 3M1
Ms. Vella
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course explores Canadian law with a focus on legal issues that are relevant to people’s
everyday lives. Students will investigate fundamental legal concepts and process to gain a
practical understanding of Canada’s legal system, including the criminal justice system.
Students will use critical-thinking, inquiry, and communication skills to develop informed
opinions on legal issues and apply this knowledge in a variety of ways and settings, including
case analysis, legal research projects, mock trails and debates.
OVERALL COURSE EXPECTATIONS
At the end of the course students will be able to:
■ explain what law is and why societies have laws, and describe the different categories of law;
■ Analyse the contemporary impact of major historical developments in Canadian law;
■ explain, discuss, and interpret legal issues, orally and in writing, using a variety of formats
and forms of communication.
■ apply the steps in the process of legal interpretation and analysis;
■ use appropriate research methods to gather, organize, evaluate, and synthesize
information;
■ explain the dynamic nature of law, including the way in which it evolves in response to
technology and changes in societal values.
■ analyse the role of law as it applies to contractual obligations and claims for
compensation for personal injury or loss;
■ explain how the law applies to family matters;
■ describe the processes, legal institutions, and methods involved in bringing a civil dispute
to trial and resolution;
■ distinguish between private and public law;
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■ explain how the criminal law applies to young people.
■ analyse the principles of sentencing, including those relating to alternative methods of
imposing sanctions or regulating behaviour;
■ describe the process, legal institutions, and methods involved in bringing a criminal case
■
■
■
to trial and in resolving it
explain how a criminal offence is defined in Canada;
describe the rights and freedoms enshrined in Canadian law and explain hoe they are
interpreted, how they may be limited, and how they are enforced in Canada and in
Ontario.
describe the historical and contemporary barriers to the equal enjoyment of human
rights in Canada;
■ describe the sources of rights and freedoms in Canada and explain how particular rights and freedoms may
conflict;
■ explain the law-making process in Canada, including how laws are developed and
interpreted, applied, challenged, and enforced.
■ analyse the contemporary impact of major historical developments in Canadian law;
COURSE CONTENT
This course will be organized according to the following themes:
Unit 1
Heritage
Unit 2
Rights and Freedoms
Unit 3
Criminal Law and Procedures
Unit 4
Regulation and Dispute Resolution
EVALAUTION POLICY
Students will be assessed and evaluated according to the work they have produced and skills they
have displayed. Methods of providing feedback will include assessing completed assignments, tests,
co-operative learning activities, simulations and presentations. Student marks will be determined by
assessing and evaluating process and product according to the Achievement Level Chart given below.
Grade Range
Achievement Level
Achievement Level Description
80–100%
Level 4
A very high to outstanding level of achievement.
Achievement is above the provincial standard.
70–79%
Level 3
A high level of achievement. Achievement is at the
provincial standard.
60–69%
Level 2
A moderate level of achievement. Achievement is below,
but approaching, the provincial standard.
50–59%
Level 1
A passable level of achievement. Achievement is below
the provincial standard.
Below 50%
Insufficient achievement of curriculum expectations. A
credit will not be granted.
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EVALUATION STRUCTURE
Student work will be assessed and evaluated according to the four achievement categories defined in
the curriculum document (Ontario Curriculum, Canadian and World Studies, 2005).
Category and Description
Knowledge and Understanding:

Weight
Includes content acquired throughout the course and comprehension of its
meaning and significance.
25%
Thinking:

Deals with the use of critical and creative thinking skills and or processes.
25%
Communication:

Is conveying meaning through various forms.
25%
Application:

25%
Includes the use of knowledge and skills to make connections within and
between various contexts.
FINAL GRADES
The four assessment and evaluation categories are reflected in day-to-day activities, quizzes, unit
tests, culminating activities, independent study units (ISU), and on the final examination.
The final grade in this course will be based on:
Criminal Law (CLU 3M1)
Grade Distribution
70%
10%
20%
Term Work
End of Unit Culminating Activities
Final Examination
RESOURCES
Blair, Annice et.al. Law in Action: Understanding Canadian Law.
Toronto: Prentice Hall, 2003.
Catholic Board Course Profile (www.curriculum.org)
Other (e.g. Print Media & Internet Resources)
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REPLACEMENT COST AND DAMAGE
The replacement cost for a lost, stolen, or damaged textbook which is beyond repair is $80.00. The
cost of repairing a damaged textbook will be paid by the student.
OTHER EVALUATION ISSUES
Please refer to the Student Agenda Handbook (2008/2009) for school policies on late assignments,
incomplete assignments, missed tests and examinations, plagiarism, absences, school suspensions and
other related issues.
Policy for absences:
When you are absent from class it is your responsibility to catch up on missed work. Arrange with
another class member to gather copies of any handouts given on the day(s) you were away from
class.
Homework partner:_______________________ Phone #:________________________
Late Submission Policy For Assignments
Please note that this policy covers all assignments over the course of the semester. An assignment
will be considered late and subject to the penalty if it is not submitted at the beginning of the class
period for which it is due. You will only receive a one day grace period after which the assignment
will be assigned a grade of zero.
Grade 11 and 12 Late Policy
1 day Late
- 10%
Tests:
Tests will be announced at least one week in advance of the date they are to be written. If you are
aware that you are going to be absent for the test or you are absent with a legitimate reason you are
required to bring a signed handwritten note from a parent/guardian. The test will be written upon
the day of your return. Any long term absences require a doctor’s note. Remember; no note, no
teat!!
Plagiarism:
If, for any major or minor performance task, project, test, or exam, a student copies someone else’s
words, ideas, or work, the student will receive a mark of zero.
Homework:
This course will require on average, forty minutes of homework or daily review per evening.
A Final Note:
I am here to help you. It is your responsibility to see me if you feel you are experiencing difficulties.
Please feel free to approach me at any time. If you require additional help, arrangements will be
made.
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