Course Overview
This course explores Canadian law, with a focus on legal issues that are relevant to the lives of people in Canada. Students will gain an understanding of laws relating to rights and freedoms in Canada; our legal system; and family, contract, employment, tort, and criminal law. Students will develop legal reasoning skills and apply the concepts of legal thinking and the legal studies inquiry process when investigating legal issues and forming informed opinions.
Units of Study
- A. The Inquiry Process and Skill Development in Legal Studies: The inquiry process in legal studies; Developing transferable skills
- B. Legal Foundations: Legal principles; Legal heritage; Legal roles and responsibilities; Development of law
- C. Rights and Freedoms: Human rights; Development of human rights law; Protecting rights and freedoms; Legal limitations of human rights
- D. Civil Law: Introduction to tort law; Family law; Employment law; Contract law
- E. Criminal Law: Foundations of criminal law; Legal processes and procedures; Criminal justice system; Development of criminal law
To see the learning expectations for this course, visit the Ministry of Education Curriculum Page.
Learning Skills & Work Habits
Responsibility, Organization, Independent Work, Collaboration, Initiative, and Self-Regulation are key components of student success. These skills are taught, assessed, evaluated, and reported on the report card to support student growth and inform parents/guardians.
Assessment and Evaluation
Term Work (70% of Final Grade):
- Knowledge & Understanding: 17%
- Application: 18%
- Thinking: 20%
- Communication: 15%
Final Evaluation (30% of Final Grade):
- Performance Task: 15% – Completed in class during protected time, does not require significant preparation outside of class
- Evaluation Block Final: 15% – Completed during the formal evaluation period (maximum duration: 2 hours)
Additional Information
Your teacher can provide you with a printed copy of this information upon request.