Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2020 - POL 324 J100

The Canadian Constitution (4)

Class Number: 7181

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Tue, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 11, 2020
    Fri, 8:59–8:59 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Six lower division units in political science or permission of the department.

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 principal characteristics and components of the Canadian constitution, its development and how it has been shaped by the intertwined relation between law and politics. Moreover, according to the constitutional documents, students in this course will appreciate how the judicial system and judges in the Supreme Court of Canada, in particular, play a prominent role in constitutional decisions and the interpretation of various provisions along with Canadian political actors.

To investigate Canadian constitution, this course offers an in-depth analysis of the historical background of the Canadian constitution and the Canadian federation paving the way for the formation of Canadian federalism. Subsequently, this course explores constitutional themes such as democracy and sovereignty, the distribution of powers and division of responsibility between federal and provincial governments, parliamentarism, and the nature of the executive and judicial power according to court’s interpretation. This course acknowledges the role and the engagement of the diverse people of Canada as both subjects and influencers of the constitution to place limits on government power. This course also explores the charter of rights and freedoms regarding equality rights, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, hate speech and the rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada.

Course Format:

A) Instructions: 

Blend (Pre-recorded lectures on Canvas and Synchronous Q & A Sessions + Class Activities on Zoom)

B) Group Presentations:

Blend (Synchronous or pre-recorded presentations and Synchronous Q & A Sessions) on Zoom

C) Guest Speakers and Q & A:

Synchronous on Zoom

D) Office Hours:

On Zoom

Grading

  • Participation: Lecture & Tutorial 10%
  • Midterm - Synchronous Quiz on Oct. 27, 5:30-6:20 pm & Asynchronous Take-Home Essay Questions - Oct. 27, 6:30 pm - Oct. 30, 11:59 pm (30 Hours) 25%
  • Group Presentation 15%
  • Guest Speaker’s Memo 10%
  • Essay: Case Commentary - due Dec. 3rd 10%
  • Asynchronous Take-Home Exam - starting Wednesday, Dec. 9th, at 9 am - Friday, Dec. 11th, at 9 am (48 hours) 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Jeremy Webber, The Constitution of Canada: A Contextual Analysis (Oxford: Bloomsbury, 2015)
ISBN: 9781841133638

Peter Oliver and et all, The Oxford Handbook of the Canadian Constitution, (NY, Oxford University Press, 2017) Designated pdf chapters will be uploaded on Canvas.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Macklem, Patrick, et al, Canadian Constitutional Law, 5th edition (Toronto: Emond Publishing. 2017). There are 4 chapters: chapters 12, 13, 24 and 26 on line at http://emond.ca/canadian-constitutional-law-5th-edition.html

Monahan, B. Shaw, & P. Ryan, Constitutional Law, 5th edition (Toronto: Irwin Law Inc, 2017)

Peter Hogg, Constitutional Law (Toronto: Thomson Carswell, 2015)

Malcolmson, R. Myers, G. Baier, and, T.M.J. Bateman The Canadian Regime 6th edition (Toronto: University of Toronto Higher Education, 2016)

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020

Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).