Vincent Massey High School Law 40S Course Outline

Transcription

1 Vincent Massey High School Law 40S Course Outline Course Title: Law 40S School Year and Semester: Teacher: Ray McLachlan Course Description: The course includes a survey / overview of law in general and of specific aspects of the Canadian legal system. The focus is on basic principles of law in the various areas, and on the structures and processes of the legal-judicial system. The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the basic elements of law as they apply to the society in which students live. General Develop an understanding of the purpose and history of law. Develop an understanding of what constitutes a crime and the reasons society criminalizes certain behavior Develop an understanding about the need for laws governing the areas of tort and contracts. Develop an understanding of issues regarding legal responsibilities and rights of family members. Relate law theory to current events in the news. Course Evaluation Structure: Tests: 25% Assignments, Labs & Projects: 45% Final Exam: 30% Course Final Standing The final mark for term work within the respective categories, (tests, assignments and projects) will be cumulative. In accordance with the Brandon School Division Policy on student assessment, evaluation, and Reporting, the following standard for the completion of assignments by students apply: A zero grade is given to unit assignments that are not submitted by the end of the related unit s summative evaluation. Any extension for a student to the above standard will be considered by the administration only when requested by the teacher

2 Student Responsibility Guidelines Students actively engaged in their learning are the essence of the Brandon School Division s mission of educating the whole child. The assessment, evaluation and reporting of student learning and achievement involves students, teachers, principals, parents, superintendents and the Board of Trustees. It is the responsibility of professional educators to assess, evaluate, and report on each student s degree of engagement and resulting learning outcomes. Such assessment, evaluation and reporting is a continuous and fundamental part of the student s learning process. Students are responsible for: their own learning with the expertise, assistance and motivation of their teachers; engaging individually and collectively in school/community learning opportunities; improving their learning involvement playing an active role in assessing their own learning providing evidence of their learning within established timelines The purpose of this document is to identify student responsibilities in assessment and evaluation practices, provide clear guidelines and consequences so students can make informed decisions, and to provide structures that improve the relationship between student learning and assessment. All assessments and/or evaluations will be assigned a reasonable completion date by the classroom teacher. When a student demonstrates negligence and/or disregard towards the assessment and/or evaluation due date, the teacher can assign a 0 grade for the incomplete assessment and/or evaluation. For a 0 grade to remain permanent on the student s record for that unit of study, a teacher s records will demonstrate that he/she had advised the student and the parent/guardian that there was an opportunity to complete the original assessment or an alternate assessment, but that it would have been penalized in accordance to divisional guidelines. Penalization for late assessments is as follows: Grade 9 10% Grade 10 15% Grade 11 20% Grade 12 25% Example: Grade 10 student receives 80% for a late assessment. The penalty for the late assessment would be (80) (0.15)=12. The adjusted mark would be =68%. Once the late assessment is marked, the penalized assessment mark will replace the 0 grade that was originally assigned to the student by the teacher. If the original or alternate assessment is not submitted by the new completion date or if the student refuses to submit a required assessment, the 0 grade assigned to it will remain on the student s evaluation records. The 0 grade(s) will be calculated into the student s final mark for the unit of study and will be used in the calculation of the final grade of the course

3 Unit Descriptions Unit 1: The Fundamentals of Law 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. 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. 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, and municipal governments. Demonstrate an understanding of the functions that administrative agencies can serve in the justice system. Demonstrate an understanding of the duties and expectations of witnesses, 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 and human rights legislation. 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. Unit 2: Criminal Law Learning Outcomes Analyze why society criminalizes certain behaviors Describe conditions for an action to constitute 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. Analyze 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. Compare the rights of the accused, the state and the police. Demonstrate an understanding of criminal procedures before the trial. Identify jurisdictions of Federal and Provincial governments over criminal law. Analyze sentencing considerations. Demonstrate an understanding of alternatives to court and the reasons for these alternatives.

4 Demonstrate an understanding of how young offenders are dealt with in the justice system and the reasons for doing do. Unit 3: Civil Law Differentiate between civil and criminal law. Explain some of the considerations to be made before bringing a civil action and demonstrate an understanding of alternative procedures. Outline the process for taking a small claims action through the courts. Demonstrate an understanding of the duties and expectations of courtroom participants. Demonstrate an understanding of the duties and expectations of witnesses, jurors, litigants, court officers, and interpreters. Describe the processes involved in resolving disputes outside the courtroom including; litigation, hearings before tribunal, arbitration, mediation, negotiation. Distinguish between a crime and a tort. Identify purposes of Tort law. Analyze principles and elements of negligence. Apply the principles and remedies available in tort law. Demonstrate an understanding of how torts are prevented, avoided, mitigated, or redressed. Analyze principles and elements of negligence and intentional torts including: defamation, assault and battery, trespass, false imprisonment. Demonstrate an understanding of the need for contracts. Analyze and describe the elements of a valid contract. Demonstrate an understanding of the procedures and remedies available to resolve contractual disputes. Demonstrate an understanding of the common law and the statutory constraints on the freedom to contract. Analyze and describe the elements of a valid contract. Outline rights of minors in civil actions. Explain types of damages. Describe remedies available for enforcing a judgment. Describe tort liability of minors and parental responsibility. Discuss duty of care owed by professionals. Explain the significance of informed consent. Unit 4: Family Law Describe the purpose of laws related to family law. Demonstrate an understanding of the various groupings which can be considered as families in Canada today. Analyze issues related to family law, including: cultural expectations, economic factors, domestic violence. Describe the legal requirements of a formal marriage. Describe the nature, purpose and effect of laws related to marriage including common-law. Describe the nature, purpose and effect of laws related to same sex relationships. Demonstrate an awareness of the impact of reproductive technology on Canadian society and analyze issues related to family law.

5 Describe the nature, purpose, and effect laws related to marriage, including: common-law and formal marriages, separation and dissolution of marriage, spousal maintenance and division of family assets, custody and support of children. Analyze laws that protect the rights of children. Explain the rights and responsibilities of parents and guardians. Analyze issues related to family law. Describe key aspects of making and executing a will. Unit 5: Contract Law Distinguish between an agreement and a contract. Identify the five essential elements of a contract. Identify how contracts may become void. Distinguish between simple contracts, contracts under seal, express and implied contracts. Describe the legal requirements of a valid offer and acceptance. Distinguish between a lapse and revocation of an offer. Analyze arguments for and against a give position. Analyze a film for relevant legal information. Develop skills necessary for oral presentations and debate.