Law and Society (LWSO) 201 - Lecture 29
Introduction to Legal Studies
Spring 2008
Saturdays 13:00 - 17:30

 

Instructor:	Sharon Ramraj-Thompson, LLB
Office Location:	Not on campus - call number below for appointments
Work Phone:	297-6393
E-Mail:	sramraj-thompson@flo.legalaid.ab.ca
Office Hours:	by appointment

Course Description

This is an introductory course in the Law and Society Program (Faculty of Communication and Culture). It will provide you with both a theoretical and practical framework with which to examine specific issues in Canadian law. We will look at a variety of texts from a number of historical periods. These texts will help us analyze cultural and social influences in the formation of Canadian legal culture.

We will commence by examining the popular perception of lawyers and law in society.   The Merchant of Venice depicts lawyers as intelligent, but manipulative.   The Trial and Death of Socrates deals with emotion and the law and the figure of the law and how much sentiment the law should allow.    The Tempest examines how law should impose structure and rules--and what type of structure and rules--on a society that has neither.

We will then turn to examine legal theories.   Burke and Locke have contrasting views on law and society.   This course examines questions such as should society be conservative and create new laws slowly and with caution (Burke), or should society be more liberal and able to change the law in conjunction with its values and beliefs (Locke)?    Finally, we will examine how these theories are incorporated into the cornerstone of the Canadian Legal system-the Constitution and how the Constitution affects us.

This course will also discuss the law as it relates to current issues facing society today, so students are encouraged to keep up with the news and current events. 

Objectives of the Course

By the end of the course you should have an essential grasp of the manner in which Canadian law is formed and, the manner in which law and culture / literature interpenetrate one another.

Textbooks and Readings:

• Edmund Burke. Reflections on the Revolution in France. (Ed. J.G.A. Pocock) Hackett Publishing.
• Canada: Constitution Act 1867 and 1982 (The Charter of Canadian Rights and Freedoms) You will need to get this online.
• John Locke. Second Treatise of Government (ed. C.B. Macpherson), Hackett Publishing.
• Plato. The Trial and Death of Socrates. (tr. G.M.A. Grube), Hackett Publishing
• William Shakespeare. The Merchant of Venice. (Editor: Roma Gill) Oxford University Press.
• William Shakespeare.  The Tempest.  (Editor: Roma Gill) Oxford University Press. 

Assignments and Evaluation

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.

Passage Identification: In-class examination (25%), Saturday June 7, 2008, on Plato and Shakespeare texts. 

Paper 5-7 pages  (40%) - Topics to be provided in class on Saturday May 24, 2008, due at the start of class on Saturday June 14, 2008.

Final Take Home Exam  (35%) - Question to be given in class on Saturday June 21, 2008, due at 13:00 (1:00pm) on Saturday June 28, 2008 (on Burke, Locke, and Constitution) at classroom SS 105.

** electronic assignments will not be accepted unless you obtain my permission ***

All assignments must be completed in order to receive a passing mark.

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline will be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late.

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented.

If you wish help with your writing at any stage, including drafts, you are invited to contact the Writing Centre, SS110, 220-7255.

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

• A+ (96-100);
• A (92-95);
• A- (86-91);
• B+ (81-85);
• B (77-80);
• B- (71-76);
• C+ (65-70);
• C (62-64);
• C- (59-61);
• D+ (55-58);
• D (50-54);
• F (0-49)

 

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people's words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS110) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info

"SAFEWALK" Program -- 220-5333

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night -- call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

 

• Saturday May 3, 2008 - Introductory lecture - detailed information about the course and brief introduction to all texts.  General discussion of law and society issues and look at specific current issues.

 

Part I: Literature and Law

 

• Saturday May 10, 2008 -  The Trial and Death of Socrates discussion of Socrates as lawyer / advocate, discussion of his instructions to jury and discussion of the figure of law.

 

• Saturday, May 17, 2008 - no class, Victoria Day Holiday. 

 

• Saturday, May 24, 2008 -. The Merchant of Venice: Contact law and law versus equity.  The Tempest - analysis of the law and lawless society in The Tempest.    Topics given out for paper   

 

Part II Theory and the Law

 

• Saturday, May 31, 2008 -Burke: Reflections on the Revolution in France - discussion of this text and its and small group discussion 

 

• Saturday June 7, 2008 (1st half of class) mid-term (25%) - on Shakespeare and Socrates.   (Second half of class) - discuss on paper writing

 

• Saturday, June 14, 2008. Finish Burke conclude analysis and discussion.   Compare and contrast to Locke Second Treatise of Government  - discussion of Locke's text and its social and political influence on our society.   Papers due at the start of class.

 

• Saturday, June 21, 2008 - The Constitution and case studies - smaller group discussion.    Take-home Final exam given out.   Take home exam due:   Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 1:00pm in room SS 105