Spring 2026 - POL 421W D100
Rights, Equality, and the Charter (4)
Class Number: 2661
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Clare McGovern
cmcgover@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
Eight upper division units in political science or permission of the department.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms has been part of the Canadian constitution since 1982. We assess the Charter's effectiveness in protecting human rights and equality within Canada and its effect on the wider political system. Students with credit for POL 428 under the title "The Charter of Rights" may not take this course for further credit. Students with credit for POL 421 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
COURSE DETAILS:
Course Description:
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms has been part of the Canadian constitution for over 40 years. This course will assess the Charter’s impact on the political system and introduce students to Charter case-law. In the first part of the course, we will ask how Canadian courts decide rights cases. We will focus on how rights have evolved over time and how courts balance rights and freedoms against the public interest. You will read Charter cases, giving you skills in interpreting legal texts, and applying legal principles to individual cases.
In the second part of the course, we consider the Charter as a fundamental shift in the constitutional system – moving power away from politicians, towards the courts. Finally, we will assess the impacts of the Charter on Indigenous rights and Québec nationalism. Throughout the course, you will be developing your own research project. This may be either legal analysis of case-law or social science research on the political effects of the Charter.
Class Format and Expectations:
There will be a 3-hour in-person seminar each week. Students need to plan to attend every week (except for when they are ill) and are expected to take the lead in discussing the week’s reading and each other’s work. This is a 4th year, writing-intensive course, so students should be prepared for a high reading load and regular written assignments.
Grading
- Please see the chart below. 100%
NOTES:
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Objective |
Evaluation |
% of course grade |
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Understanding legal debates about Charter rights, and assessing the Charter’s impact on the political system |
Participation in seminar discussion & a post on Canvas board (every week) Leading discussion, in pairs (once) |
10% 10% |
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Developing legal, research and professional skills: i) Reading legal cases iii) Giving feedback on others’ research iv) Communicating research findings |
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10%
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Materials
REQUIRED READING:
There is no textbook for this course. Readings will be academic articles and legal cases available on-line or posted on Canvas.
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:
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
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.