LAWS 2123 ‑ Canadian Legal History

CREDIT HOURS: 3

This is a survey course in the history of Canadian law from the time of the First Nations to the present. The successive reception of aboriginal law, French civil law and English common law will be discussed, as well as the later influence of U.S. law. We will explore the general characteristics of the legal regimes of British North America before and after responsible government, the impact of Confederation, and the response of the Canadian legal order to industrialization, social reform, urbanization, the two World Wars, immigration and technological change. Emphasis will be put on the development of Canadian legal institutions, the legal profession, legal thought and selected areas of substantive law. Throughout we will consider the evolution of Canadian legal culture.

Prerequisite(s): None.
Co-requisite(s): None.
Assessment Method: Major paper (80%) and class participation (20%).
Restrictions: None.