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A Home for Historical Thinking
1. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society."
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-Article One, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Law 12
How are we affected by legal processes and how do laws reflect on society?
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Law 12 offers you the chance to explore the complex world of law on a national and international level. Ranging from the earliest codified laws to cases underway at the time of your class, you have the opportunity to think critically about criminality, law, and the societies that create them.
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A History of Law
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How have societies created laws that reflect their values? Why have humans created laws? How have laws changed with time? Where do ideas of laws come from? Where do we find the roots of Canada's legal system?
Themes
International vs. National Law
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How do laws differ between national and international levels? What governing bodies are in place to ensure that international law is followed? What steps are there to ensure that breaches of international law are prosecuted?
Fighting for Rights
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How have marginalized groups been held down by unjust legal codes? How have these groups fought for equal rights? How do we as individuals recognize when the law is unjust? Is there any justification for these rights to be taken by any organization?
Crime and Criminality
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What constitutes a crime? What different crimes exist and what are their punishments? How are different levels of crimes classified? What role does background play in criminal acts? Why are some crimes punished with greater severity?
Hearts of Darkness
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How do serial killers operate? Why do mass murderers exist? What are the warning signs of extreme psychopathic behaviour? What links exist between serial killers and their victims? What is the difference between a serial killer and a mass murderer?
Law and Order
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How are criminal trials conducted? What procedures must be taken when a case comes to trial? How is guilt or innocence determined? What does it truly mean to be innocent until proven guilty? What punishment can be given?
Class Documents
Syllabus
Calendar
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