Law and Society 335 Lecture 01
Equality Issues
Spring 2008

S 13:00 to 17:30

Lectures: May 3, 10, 24, 31, June 7, 14, 21, 28 (final exam)

 

Instructor:	Linda McKay-Panos
Office Location:	MFH 2350
Office Phone:	220-2505
E-Mail:	lmmckayp@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:	n/a
Office Hours:	By Appointment

Additional Information

 

It is recommended that students read the first EIGHT items in the book of materials before the first class.

Course Description

 

This course will examine the ability of the law to guarantee equality for Canadians. The student will be provided the opportunity to gain an understanding of the legal system, including Canadian criminal, civil, constitutional and human rights law, as well as international law. We will consider how it may impact differently on different groups and how people have sought reforms to the law to incorporate equality norms. Topics will include the legal definition of equality, employment law, personal injury awards, violence against women, family law and international protection of rights.

Objectives of the Course

 

By the end of the course, students should be able to demonstrate a general understanding of the legal issues involved in the topics considered and an appreciation of the social values underlying the issues discussed in class.

 

Textbooks and Readings:

 

A Book of Readings (available at the University of Calgary Bookstore)

Assignments and Evaluation

Group Presentation 35% (15% for oral presentation; 15% for group written paper; 5% for individual assessment of group members). These will commence on June 7, 2008 (more details will be provided on first day of class).

 

Midterm Exam 25% May 31, 2008

 

Final Exam (closed book) 40%  Scheduled by Registrar (June 28, 2008)

 

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.
Note: Please hand in your essays directly to your tutor or instructor if possible. If it is not possible to do so, a daytime drop box is available in SS110; a date stamp is provided for your use. A night drop box is also available for after-hours submission. Assignments will be removed the following morning, stamped with the previous day's date, and placed in the instructor's mailbox.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination:  YES

Please note: If your class is held in the evening, the Registrar's Office will make every attempt to schedule the final exam during the evening; however, there is NO guarantee that the exam will NOT be scheduled during the day.

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline may 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 need help with your writing, you may use the Writing Centre.  Visit the website for more details: www.efwr.ucalgary.ca

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. 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 (SS 106, efwr.ucalgary.ca) 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/su

"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.

Ethics

Whenever you perform research with human participants (i.e. surveys, interviews, observation) as part of your university studies, you are responsible for following university research ethics guidelines.  Your instructor must review and approve of your research plans and supervise your research.  For more information about your research ethics responsibilities, see

The Faculty of Communication and Culture Research Ethics site: http://www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/ethics

or the University of Calgary Research Ethics site: http://www.ucalgary.ca/research/compliance/ethics/info/undergrad/

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

 

To be handed out in class.