Unit 1 - The Origins of Law
Unit 1.1 An Introduction to Legal Systems
Learning Goals
In this portion of the unit you should...
1. Understand the structure of the legal system.
2. Understand the differences between democratic legal systems and authoritarian legal systems.
3. Reflect on differences in how people understand laws and the legal system.
1. Understand the structure of the legal system.
2. Understand the differences between democratic legal systems and authoritarian legal systems.
3. Reflect on differences in how people understand laws and the legal system.
Introduction to Law in Canada
Introduction to Law | |
File Size: | 1453 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Visit the link here to look at what powers the federal government has and what powers the provincial government has. Are there any you didn't know? Have you gotten these mixed up before?
Visit the link here and choose 1 interest group. What is its function? Who does it claim to serve? Do you trust it? What do YOU think its purpose is?
Canadian Appeal Process
As a resource, here is the Canadian appeal process. Note how many you need to get to a Supreme Court hearing. What are some barriers to achieving this?
Unit 1.2. Legal Systems
Learning Goals
By the end of this portion of the unit you should...
1. Analyze various influences on the Canadian Legal System.
2. Discuss different perspectives on the legal system.
3. Reflect on ways the legal system has and continues to evolve.
1. Analyze various influences on the Canadian Legal System.
2. Discuss different perspectives on the legal system.
3. Reflect on ways the legal system has and continues to evolve.
Categories of Law
Sources In Canadian Law | |
File Size: | 7451 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Indigenous Experiences In Canada
Indigenous Peoples have not been treated fairly through treaties and the legal system. Explain how this historical treatment would influence the way they feel about the legal system and their interactions with it today.
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Learn how Indigenous Peoples where the first to have laws in Canada.
1. How do Indigenous Peoples' ways of looking at law relate to our society today? Specifically, how are stories related to case law? |
Hunting and Indigenous Rights - Case Analysis
Read the The Métis Hunting Case: R. v. Powley and answer the following questions: Classroom Discussion Questions 5, 6, 7, & 8.
Powley Case | |
File Size: | 113 kb |
File Type: |
Ancient Concepts of Justice
Read professor Mark LaBar of the University of Arizona's explanation of some philosophical thinker's s ideas. More on this in the next part of the unit. Look at this as a sort of introduction.
Justice as Virtue | |
File Size: | 18 kb |
File Type: | docx |
So You're On The Run..
Visit the following Link here and see which countries have extradition treaties and which do not. Of the ones who do not, where would you run away to? Why? Be prepared to share with the group.
Categories of Law Presentations - 2.5%
For this assignment you will present a category of Law and its subdivisions. Your goal will be to make the presentations informative, interesting and visual. See below on Primary and Secondary Sources as well as how to use MLA to cite your work in your presentations. Both of these things must be done successfully for you to earn a Level 4 on this assignment.
Also be sure to read the rubric multiple times to ensure you are doing what is necessary to be successful on the assignment.
Also be sure to read the rubric multiple times to ensure you are doing what is necessary to be successful on the assignment.
Categories of Law Presentations | |
File Size: | 16 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Primary & Secondary Sources
Below is an image that should help you better understand the differences between primary and secondary sources. I have also provided a link to a short article that you should read here. There is also a video to the right that will help you understand in historical context the differences as well as giving some examples of what Primary and Secondary Sources are. |
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For your presentation, what types of things you might find could primary sources and what might be secondary sources? What do you think you are looking for?
Works Cited & In-Text Citations
Together we will visit the link here to view sample Works Cited Pages and to see how to reference MLA in-text. Be sure to bookmark this website as it has all the information you will need to successfully reference information you find weather it be on the internet, in a book, on YouTube or in a Podcast.
Unit 1.3 Legal Philosophy
This portion of the unit will have 2 distinct sections. First there will be a PowerPoint that we will go through together in sections. In the PowerPoint you will learn about different legal and political philosophers as well as different social belief systems and how they relate to law and justice.
Philosophical Discussions - 5%
Philosophy Discussions | |
File Size: | 17 kb |
File Type: | docx |
The second portion of the unit will require you to independently examine writings from legal thinkers throughout history. This will very much follow the timeline and thematic structure of the PowerPoint. We will have a discussion after each thinker's reading and you will be evaluated on the points you raise in the discussions and the notes you submit from your readings. Notes do not need to be formal, they could be sticky notes or scribbles (that I can read). You will be evaluated on the entirety of the philosophical discussions not on one specific philosopher. That allows you to have good days and bad days, which we all have. Most readings are short and most can be read in less than an hour.
Learning Goals
By the end of this portion of the unit you should...
1. Analyze different perspectives on Justice and Power.
2. Understand the development of legal philosophy in Canada.
3. Reflect on the application of legal philosophy on social issues today.
1. Analyze different perspectives on Justice and Power.
2. Understand the development of legal philosophy in Canada.
3. Reflect on the application of legal philosophy on social issues today.
A Somewhat Comprehensive Overview of the History of Legal Philosophy
Legal Philosophy | |
File Size: | 1890 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Confucius
Read the section on justice that you have been given by Confucius. How are Eastern Philosophies on Power and Justice similar/different to Aristotle or Plato? What do you think we can learn from views different from our own?
confucius.pdf | |
File Size: | 3909 kb |
File Type: |
Plato
Read the following excerpt linked here from Plato's Republic on Justice. Note the preamble and how a society is to be set up for Plato. What is his conception of justice? Do you agree with it? Why or why not?
Hobbes
What is Hobbes' view of humanity and how does it inform his views on justice? Do you agree with anything he has to say about humanity and the role of justice?
Hobbes on Justice | |
File Size: | 45 kb |
File Type: |
John Rawls
Visit the Link here and read excerpts from Rawls theory on Justice. What are his views? How do they reflect society today? What about him do you agree with or disagree with?
Martha Nussbaum on Justice
Watch Nussbaum's lecture on Love and Justice. What is she saying is missing from justice/society and how should it be included. What does she say about Rawls and other theories on Justice. Is there something she says that sticks with you, that you think is important? Explain. If not, what do you not like about her philosophy?
Feminist Jurisprudence
First watch the video from BBC on Abortion Rights in the United States. Then, visit the link here to explore what other nations including Canada stand on government the legal status of abortion. Click different countries to see their limits and the latest news. Lastly, visit the link here to get a clear picture on Canada's abortion or lack thereof law. Does Canada need a law? |
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Justice & Power
Together we will watch a portion of the Chomsky - Foucault Debate on Power and Justice from 1971. What are they each arguing? Where are they similar and where are they different? |
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Unit 1 - Law Test - 10%
Friday October 21st
Your Unit 1 Law Terms and Reflection Test will have 2 parts.
You will have 1 full class period to write the test. You should study important terms from PowerPoints and videos as well as prepare the 3 philosophers you plan to discuss in your reflection. Note: You CANNOT bring any notes to the test.
Part 1: Law Terms. You will be given 8 Law terms from this unit and you will choose 6 of the 8 Law Terms to identify and define the significance. First for 1 mark you will define the term (what is it?). Then for 2 additional marks you will say why it is important (What makes it important?). You MAY also give an example to get a mark as well.
Part 2: Legal Philosophy Reflection. Choose 3 philosophers (at least 1 must be a philosopher NOT on the PowerPoint) that you have learned about and explain what it is you like about their views on justice, power, and the legal system (note: you DO NOT need to discuss all 3. You should likely only discuss 2 of the 3). You will then write a 2 - 3 paragraph reflection that discusses their views and what you found interesting/related to/liked about them. You should also work to give real-world examples of them.
You will have 1 full class period to write the test. You should study important terms from PowerPoints and videos as well as prepare the 3 philosophers you plan to discuss in your reflection. Note: You CANNOT bring any notes to the test.
Part 1: Law Terms. You will be given 8 Law terms from this unit and you will choose 6 of the 8 Law Terms to identify and define the significance. First for 1 mark you will define the term (what is it?). Then for 2 additional marks you will say why it is important (What makes it important?). You MAY also give an example to get a mark as well.
Part 2: Legal Philosophy Reflection. Choose 3 philosophers (at least 1 must be a philosopher NOT on the PowerPoint) that you have learned about and explain what it is you like about their views on justice, power, and the legal system (note: you DO NOT need to discuss all 3. You should likely only discuss 2 of the 3). You will then write a 2 - 3 paragraph reflection that discusses their views and what you found interesting/related to/liked about them. You should also work to give real-world examples of them.
Unit 1 Take Home Test
Law Test | |
File Size: | 15 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Find below your Unit 1 Law Take Home Test. Complete all questions on the test. Do not delete any portion of the test. Include a Works Cited and MLA if you need on the test. Put your name on the test. Submit the test as a PDF file, Friday before 3:10pm as an Edsby message directly to myself.
Good Luck
Good Luck