Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2018 - POL 151 D100

The Administration of Justice (3)

Class Number: 5347

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 14, 2018
    Sat, 12:00–3:00 p.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:

How do courts decide if criminal defendants are innocent or guilty? When can judges overrule laws passed by Parliament? This course will consider these questions by introducing you to the legal system in Canada. 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 the basics of the criminal law, focusing on how a criminal trial is structured and standards of evidence. In the final part of the course we will examine how the courts fit into the wider Canadian political system. 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 effective courts are at protecting individuals’ rights against the state. In particular, we will focus on recent cases before the Supreme Court of Canada, concerning mandatory minimum sentences, assisted suicide and the Insite safe injection site in Vancouver.

There will be a 2 hour lecture plus a tutorial once a week. Tutorials start Week Two.

Grading

  • Participation (tutorial and during lecture) 10%
  • Mid-term 10%
  • Group presentation in tutorial 10%
  • Written Assignment 1 15%
  • Written Assignment 2 20%
  • Final Exam 35%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Hausegger, Lori, Matthew Hennigar and Troy Riddell. Canadian Courts: Law, Politics and Process. Oxford University Press. 2015. Available at the SFU Bookstore.
ISBN: 9780199002498

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.
For details, see http://www.sfu.ca/politics/undergraduate/program/related_links.html and click on “Plagiarism and Intellectual Dishonesty” .

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/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

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS