Law 40S
Fort Richmond Collegiate
Teacher: Ms Jones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDoxWu2CARM&feature=related
Course Outline for 2011-2012
Introduction
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Grade 12 Law focuses on basic legal principles
and practices in Canada’s legal system. With a
hands-on, activity based approach to learning,
this recognized university entrance course
discusses major legislation in Canada such as the
Youth Criminal Justice Act and the Criminal
Code of Canada. Current event issues, mock
trials, controversial debate topics and possible
career choices in law and law enforcement are
explored.
Course Aim
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The aim of the course is to familiarize students
with the basic elements of law and how our laws are
interpreted and applied in the society in which we live.
Course study will include: readings, case analysis, class
discussions, presentations, note-taking, note-making,
field trips and guest speakers.
We want you to better understand the law and learn how it can
be useful to our every day lives!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEsaI-cSkI&feature=related
Why did you take this course?
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Hearsay
Friends are taking it
Career path
Timetable reasons
“Easy” credit
University entrance credit
Interest
General Learning Outcomes (GLOs) for the Business
& Technology Portfolio of Courses:
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Students completing any course from the Business and
Technology portfolio of courses should be able to demonstrate
the following skills upon completion:
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving – E.g., Effective
communication, troubleshooting and engaged learning.
Professionalism – E.g., Apply guidelines for ethical and
responsible behaviour in the workplace and in the use of
Information Communication Technology (ICT). Maintain a
positive attitude; act responsibly and respectfully.
Organization of Technology – E.g., Demonstrate and
understand the basic functions of technology by successfully
managing software specific to this course, operating systems and
hardware.
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Self-Assessment – E.g., Reflect on learning tasks and set
personal goals to go beyond established criteria ‘for’, ‘as’ and ‘of’
learning.
Teamwork – E.g., Become better prepared to add value to the
outcomes of a team assignment or project. Collaborate with
peers and staff to become active participants and to excel in the
learning process.
Creativity and Innovation – E.g., Present attributes of an
original form and present it in a new light.
GENERAL LEARNING OUTCOMES
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Students will...
Acquire skills and knowledge that can be applicable and useful in
further education and/or in future careers
Develop positive work habits, language processing, teamwork,
problem solving and critical thinking skills
Develop an understanding of the nature and necessity of law
Become familiar with the terminology structure and functioning
of Criminal Law in Canada
Explore the necessity for and extent of rights and liberties as
they exist in Canada today
Examine the legal concepts related to contract and family law
Specific Learning Outcomes for
Law 40S
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Fundamentals of Law
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Define law and evaluate its purposes in society
Demonstrate an understanding of legal principles
Describe how and why laws change and the consequences of such changes on society
Distinguish between moral issues and legal terms
Describe how and why laws change and the consequences of such changes on society
Differentiate between civil and criminal law
Demonstrate an understanding of British Common Law and the French Civil Code and its influence on
Canada’s legal system
Demonstrate an understanding of the structure and jurisdiction of the Canadian court system
Demonstrate knowledge of the sources of our laws today
Demonstrate an understanding of the structure and jurisdiction of the Canadian court system
Describe the processes involved in resolving disputes
Demonstrate an understanding of the duties and expectations of courtroom participants
Demonstrate an understanding of career opportunities in the field of law
Demonstrate an understanding of the structure and jurisdiction of the federal, First Nations, provincial,
municipal governments
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Demonstrate an understanding of the functions that administrative agencies can
serve in the justice system
Demonstrate an understanding of the duties and expectations of witness, jurors,
litigants, court officers, and interpreters use information technology tools to gather,
process, and present legal information
Use appropriate vocabulary to communicate legal information
Analyze the impact of the following on Canadian society: the constitution, in
particular the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, human rights legislation
Understand the function, reason, and impact of Section 33 (1), the Notwithstanding
clause
Analyze the impact of Section 2 of the Charter on Canadian Society
Analyze the impact of legal rights guaranteed by the Charter on Canadian Society
Analyze the impact of Equality Rights guarantee by the Charter on Canadian society
Understand how those whose rights have been infringed by government agencies
can seek remedies
Contrast the legal rights and responsibilities of individuals, groups and
organizations in Canadian society
Analyze the impact of Human Rights Legislation on Canadian Society
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Criminal Law
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Analyze why society criminalizes certain behaviours
Analyze what constitutes a crime
Understand how changes in society change what society considers criminal behavior
Suggest causes of crime in society
Distinguish between a civil offence and a crime
Distinguish between criminal and quasi-criminal offences
Analyze what constitutes a crime and what circumstances can excuse a person from criminal
responsibility
Recognize that criminal offences can be classified according to type and seriousness of the offence
Recognize that criminal offences are classified according to the nature of the offence in the Criminal
Code
Recognize the significance of the classification of an offence according to the seriousness of the offence
Understand that persons other than the principal offender can be charged and convicted of a criminal act
Compare the rights of the accused and the state
Demonstrate an understanding of criminal procedure
Compare the rights of the accused and the police
Demonstrate an understanding of criminal procedures before the trial
Analyze sentencing considerations
Demonstrate an understanding of alternatives to court and the reasons for these alternatives
Demonstrate an understanding of how young offenders are dealt with in the justice system and the
reasons for doing so
What parts of law are you
interested in learning?
Brainstorm some ideas!!!!
Section 1- Defining Law
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What is law?
How can we classify it? (classifying allows us to know its
jurisdiction and therefore punishment!)
Where did our laws come from?
How have they changed?
Did you know? type laws.
For example…
30% of a radio stations content must
be "Canadian Content"
You may not pay for a fifty-cent
item with only pennies.
Citizens may not publicly remove
bandages.
Section 2 – Canadian Rights and
Freedoms
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What are our rights?
How do we use them?
What do we not know about
rights entitled to us?
Is euthanasia a right?
Rights of the wrongfully convicted
Should Canada adopt Capital Punishment?
Group debate
Section 3 – Criminal Law
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Types of crimes
Involvement in crimes
Police investigations
Search and seizures
Arrest and detention
Criminal trial process
Physical and Forensic
Evidence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQUE8IeVmpA
Section 4 – To be Announced
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Depends on our time frame and YOUR level of
involvement in activities.
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Which brings us to our last point!
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I have good news and bad news.
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Good news or bad news first?
The Fate of this Class!
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This class will be what you want it to be.
After all, you CHOSE to be here!
U decide the dynamic and culture of the class.
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Do u want it to be note based or activity based?
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The more involved you are, the more you will
get out of it, the more fun it will be.
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Possible Activities
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Controversial debates
CSI analysis
Fingerprinting and lifting
Crime scene simulations
Arresting Procedures
Cases studies (almost daily)
Two field trips
Actual Case Studies
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Investigating racy Canadian cases…
Greyhound Bus Murder
Bertuzzi
Derek Harvey-Zenk
Mock Trial
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You are now lawyers!
Simulate a real trial procedure
A real story
One-on-one work with
real lawyers
Develop a case
Role play in front of a real judge at the law courts
downtown on law day.
(Show pictures of previous year)
Supplies Needed
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The following supplies must be brought to each
class:
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3 ringed binder and/or a notebook for journal
entries, paper, pens, pencils, highlighter.
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Course textbook (available to you when you
need them)
Assessment/Evaluation
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Term Work (Assignments, Projects & Tests)
Final Exam
In addition to being evaluated on curricular outcomes, students will also be
assessed on their social and personal development. These will include:
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70%
30%
Demonstrates confidence as a learner
Participates actively in learning
Accepts responsibility for behaviour
Demonstrates respect for property
Demonstrates respect for others
Demonstrates organizational skills
Works co operatively with others
Submits complete assignments on time
Formative assessments will be done frequently throughout the course to provide you with the
feedback you need to improve your learning; Examples include: worksheets, class activities,
case exercises, quizzes, etc. Summative assessments will allow you to demonstrate the skills
you have learned; Examples include: unit tests, research essays, final assignments or projects
and the final exam
Tests and Projects
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If you are absent on the day of a test or on the
due date of a major project, your absence needs
to be excused prior to the beginning of class.
The student or parent/guardian must phone the
school prior to the test to provide a reason for
the student`s absence. Students will not be
allowed to write missed tests unless the reasons
for the absence(s) are acceptable to school
administration.
Deadlines
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Students are encouraged to hand in all assignments on
time. Any students handing in assignments late will
have to submit a late assignment form in order to
submit assignments.
IF A STUDENT IS ABSENT FROM CLASS, IT IS
HIS/HER RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND OUT
WHAT THEY MISSED AND HAND IN THE
APPROPRIATE ASSIGNMENT FOR
ASSESSMENT IN A TIMELY MANNER.
Plagiarism
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What is Plagiarism?
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Plagiarism is a serious offense and will be treated as
such in my classroom. We will be discussing key ways
to avoid plagiarism during the first few weeks of
classes. If u are caught plagiarizing, you will receive a
zero on the assignment. You will be referred to
administration and you may face a suspension.
Students will also receive a zero for inappropriate
collaboration with a classmate. If a student copies
another student`s piece of work, they will both receive
a zero. This issue will be discussed further in class.
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Other Points to Note!
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ARRIVE ON TIME AND PREPARED !!
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If you arrive late to class you are not to disrupt the class.
Please knock on the door and you will be allowed to enter
provided it does not disrupt the lesson. Should you miss
some instruction, you will be required to find someone to fill
you in on the material you missed. You will NOT be allowed
entrance past the bell without the teacher admitting you. If
you consistently show up late you will be asked to stay after
school to meet with the teacher. As per school Policy 4, lates
will be equal to 1 absence on a student’s attendance record.
Students may be required to make up late classes.
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ABSENCES –
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When you miss a class, you are responsible for
finding out what you missed, either by talking with
the teacher or a classmate, and catching up on any
work before the next class.
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ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ5Zahh9akI&feature=related
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I love my phone.
You love your phone.
I very much enjoy listening to music.
You very much enjoy listening to music.
There are however appropriate times to use a phone and listen
to music.
Neither of those include when I am talking or teaching a
lesson.
They also do not include when one of your classmates are
speaking to the group.
Therefore it is imperative for you to ENSURE that you use
your electronic devices responsibly. Don’t make me take them
from you, and we all win.
HELP!
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ApstMKNEMI
I am available if you need extra help; please see
me sooner rather than later. My prep period is
in slot 2 and 5 in the Business Ed. Office.
CONTACT – You and your parents can email
me if you have any concerns. My email address
is wjones@pembinatrails.com.