Fall 2024 - POL 151 D100

Justice and Law (3)

Class Number: 4196

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Oct 11, 2024: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Oct 16 – Dec 3, 2024: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 11, 2024
    Wed, 9:29–9:29 a.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The development of laws and their application to the citizen and social groups. Special consideration will be given to civil liberties. Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

Course Description:

Why does Canada have a medically assisted death program? Why did the courts have a role in deciding whether the Trans-Mountain Pipeline (which crosses the SFU campus) would be expanded? This course answers these questions by introducing you to the Canadian constitutional system and discussing the influence of the courts over government policy.

We will start by learning the structure of the court system, and the role of judges. In the second part of the course, we will focus on how politicians interact with the courts. On the one hand, Parliament and the Cabinet oversee the criminal justice system, for example pressing them to address trial delays during the COVID pandemic. On the other hand, the courts enforce limits on what politicians can do. We will see how judges act as umpires in disputes between the federal and provincial governments. We will also learn about the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, asking how effectively courts protect individuals’ rights against the state. Throughout the course, we will focus on recent legal cases, concerning COVID regulations, medically assisted death and environmental policy.

Course Organization:

There will be an in-person 2-hour lecture plus an in-person tutorial, once a week. Please note that you are expected to submit written assignments to Turnitin.

Course Evaluation:

Objective

Evaluation % of Course Grade
Understanding and participating in debates about the Canadian legal system.

Tutorial participation.

Written Assignment 1: essay

Final exam (take-home).

10%                                 

20%

35% 

Using course material to understand current legal and political events. Group presentation in tutorial: news analysis 10%

 

 

Reading and analysing legal cases

Group activities in tutorial: assignment preparation

Written Assignment 2: case analysis

 

5%

20%


Note: Subject to change in the event of unavoidable interruptions to class or tutorial schedules.

Grading

  • Tutorial Participation 10%
  • Written Assignment 1: essay 20%
  • Final Exam (take-home) 35%
  • Group presentation in tutorial: news analysis 10%
  • Group activities in tutorial: assignment preparation 5%
  • Written Assignment 2: case analysis 20%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Morton, F.L. and Dave Snow (eds). (2024). Law Politics and the Judicial Process in Canada, 5th ed. University of Calgary Press. ISBN: 978-1-77385-518-9 (paperback) or 978-1-77385-520-2 (e-pub). Copies available through the SFU Bookstore. Please make sure you get the most recent edition: the 5th edition, published in 2024.


Legal cases and articles will also be assigned. These will be available on Canvas or online.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

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 website 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

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.