Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An analysis of the Canadian constitution from a theoretical and comparative perspective. Amendment, entrenchment, civil rights.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course sheds light on the interplay between formal and informal constitutional rules, between law and politics. Students considering law school will benefit from this introduction to constitutional law, and others will gain insights into how Canada's constitution works in theory and practice. You will learn about the vast discretion judges have, the principles they use in their decisions, and the shifting interpretations they have given to Canada’s constitutional documents. One key focus will be on the division of responsibility for specific areas of public policy between the federal and provincial governments. Attention will also be given to limits on government power through the Charter and Aboriginal rights. A second key focus is the importance of informal rules in our constitutional system. The nature of constitutional conventions, and how they govern crucial parts of our political system will be explored. You should take away from this course an appreciation of how intertwined politics and law are, both in the work of judges and in the rules governing Canada’s political actors.

There will be one 3-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial each week.  Tutorials start week two.

Grading

Materials

REQUIRED READING: