LAW-20074 - Module Specification
School of Law
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2021/22

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2021/22

Foundations of Canadian Law is designed to acquaint students with the basic tenets, sources, and structures of Canadian law. Canadian law is informed by legal principles from England, France, the United States and other jurisdictions, and the result is a uniquely Canadian approach to the content, interpretation and administration of law.
In this module, students will become acquainted with the judicial decision-making process in Canada, with the sources of Canadian law, with Canadian bijuralism, with the legal relationship between the state and the Aboriginal Peoples, and with the main theories that have influenced Canadian legal thought.

After completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate sound knowledge of the history, principles and main sources of the Canadian legal system, the Charter, aboriginal law and administrative law
2. Understand and analyse the differences and similarities between the Canadian legal system and the UK legal system, specifically in terms of the sources, structure and the Constitution.
3. Critically evaluate and apply key legal theories to Canadian law
4. Compare and analyse the different branches of the Canadian state and how they interrelate
5. Explain the special relationship between Aboriginal Peoples and the State and critically assess the impact of the Canadian legal system on Aboriginal communities and other minority groups
6. Locate, critically evaluate and use cases, statutes, legal opinions, academic scholarship and non-legal sources relevant to key theories and principles in Canadian law, aboriginal law, the Charter and administrative law

Intended Learning Outcomes

Develop an understanding of the foundations of Canadian Law

: 1
Develop an understanding of the sources of law, and the social and political context in which the law develops: 1
Evaluate Canadian Law, its sources, and the social and political context in which it develops: 1
Conduct effective research and critical analysis in a written piece of work.: 1

Study hours

10 x 2hr lectures = 20 hours
6 x 1hr seminars = 6 hours
1 x 2hr revision session = 2 hours
Independent study = 122 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment