LAWS 1013 & 1023 ‑ Fundamentals of Public Law

LAWS 1013 & 1023
CREDIT HOURS: 5 (2.5 per term)

Course Description:

This course provides students with an understanding of the constitutional and administrative structures of Canadian law and government. An emphasis is placed on developing the skills required of lawyers whose public law work may range from appearances before administrative tribunals, to giving advice on the formulation and articulation of policy. Primary among the emphasized skills is the ability to work with and interpret constitutional, statutory and regulatory texts. A perspective on the administrative model of decision making will also be developed. As a necessary background for the development of these skills and for the general study of law, this course introduces students to the Canadian governmental and constitutional system. Students will explore the legislative process, statutory interpretation, and the administrative system using human rights legislation as a model. Further, students will develop an understanding of the analytical framework of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, through the study of the interpretation and development of equality rights.

Prerequisite(s): None
Co-requisite(s): None
Assessment Method: Students taking this course must register in and complete LAWS 1013 & LAWS 1023 in consecutive terms; credit will not be granted if courses are not completed consecutively. There will be a written examination (with option to count as 30% of the final grade), and a final examination which may have both a take-home and in-class component
Restrictions: This course is restricted to JD students or JD Combined Degree students.