Foundations of Canadian Law

General Information

Foundations of Canadian Law is an elective subject in postgraduate programs offered by the Faculty of Law. This subject will serve as an introduction to the Canadian legal system and the role of law in Canadian society. This subject examines the basic institutions and methods of the Canadian legal system. The main institutions of law and government are addressed: parliament, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. Particular attention is paid to the history and structure of the Canadian legal system. The subject will also examine the sources of Canadian law and the fundamental principles of our legal system. Finally, it will conclude with an examination of the special relationship of Aboriginal Peoples to the Canadian state.

  • Academic unit: Faculty of Law
    Subject code: LAWS77-537
    Subject title: Foundations of Canadian Law
    Subject level: Postgraduate
    Semester/Year: September 2023
    Credit points: 10.000
  • Timetable: https://bond.edu.au/timetable
    Delivery mode: Intensive
    Workload items:
    • Seminar: x6 (Total hours: 24) - Seminar 1
    • Personal Study Hours: x12 (Total hours: 96) - Recommended Study Hours
    Attendance and learning activities: Attendance is mandatory. The seminar classes will be interactive, use the Canadian Socratic method and rest upon the engagement of students. The participation of all students is essential to the learning environment.
  • Prescribed resources:

    Books

    • Craig Forcese, Adam Dodek, Philip Bryden (2020). PUBLIC LAW: CASES, COMMENTARY, AND ANALYSIS. 4th, Edmond
    After enrolment, students can check the Books and Tools area in iLearn for the full Resource List.
    iLearn@Bond & Email:

    iLearn@Bond is the Learning Management System at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, class recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment, and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications.

    Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student.

    To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au
Academic unit: Faculty of Law
Subject code: LAWS77-537
Subject title: Foundations of Canadian Law
Subject level: Postgraduate
Semester/Year: September 2023
Credit points: 10.000

Enrolment requirements

Requisites:

Nil
Assumed knowledge:

Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.

Restrictions:

Nil

Assurance of learning

Assurance of Learning means that universities take responsibility for creating, monitoring and updating curriculum, teaching and assessment so that students graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need for employability and/or further study.

At Bond University, we carefully develop subject and program outcomes to ensure that student learning in each subject contributes to the whole student experience. Students are encouraged to carefully read and consider subject and program outcomes as combined elements.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge and skills that will be achieved on completion of the program. If you are undertaking this subject as part of a degree program, you should refer to the relevant degree program outcomes and graduate attributes as they relate to this subject.

Find your program

Subject Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:

  1. Understand case analysis and apply the principles of case precedent.
  2. Understand the sources of law and the framework of the Canadian legal system.
  3. Understand the branches of government and the interplay between them.
  4. Understand the concept of judicial review and Canadian statutory interpretation.
  5. Understand the special relationship between the Aboriginal Peoples and the Canadian state; understand Aboriginal self-government, Aboriginal treaty rights and Aboriginal title.
  6. Communicate ideas in an organised and effective manner.

Generative Artificial Intelligence in Assessment

The University acknowledges that Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) tools are an important facet of contemporary life. Their use in assessment is considered in line with students’ development of the skills and knowledge which demonstrate learning outcomes and underpin study and career success. Instructions on the use of Gen-AI are given for each assessment task; it is your responsibility to adhere to these instructions.

  • Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed
    Computer-Aided Examination (Limited Open) n/a 50.00% Final Examination Period 1,2,3,4,5,6
    Computer-aided Test (Open) In class, short answer test. 20.00% Week 2 1,2,3,4,5,6
    Written Report 1000 words based on case analysis for presentation. 10.00% Week 10 1,2,3,4,5,6
    Presentation Case analysis, 10-15 minute presentation 20.00% Week 10 1,2,3,4,5,6
    • * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
    • C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.

  • Assessment criteria

    High Distinction 85-100 Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking.
    Distinction 75-84 Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas.
    Credit 65-74 Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above.
    Pass 50-64 Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment.
    Fail 0-49 Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines.

    Quality assurance

    For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.

Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed
Computer-Aided Examination (Limited Open) n/a 50.00% Final Examination Period 1,2,3,4,5,6
Computer-aided Test (Open) In class, short answer test. 20.00% Week 2 1,2,3,4,5,6
Written Report 1000 words based on case analysis for presentation. 10.00% Week 10 1,2,3,4,5,6
Presentation Case analysis, 10-15 minute presentation 20.00% Week 10 1,2,3,4,5,6
  • * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
  • C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.

Study Information

Submission procedures

Students must check the iLearn@Bond subject site for detailed assessment information and submission procedures.

Policy on late submission and extensions

A late penalty will be applied to all overdue assessment tasks unless an extension is granted by the subject coordinator. The standard penalty will be 10% of marks awarded to that assessment per day late with no assessment to be accepted seven days after the due date. Where a student is granted an extension, the penalty of 10% per day late starts from the new due date. Specific different late penalties apply to the take-home exam and will be applied in accordance with the late penalties stated in the instructions for assessment.

Academic Integrity

Bond University‘s Student Code of Conduct Policy , Student Charter, Academic Integrity Policy and our Graduate Attributes guide expectations regarding student behaviour, their rights and responsibilities. Information on these topics can be found on our Academic Integrity webpage recognising that academic integrity involves demonstrating the principles of integrity (honesty, fairness, trust, professionalism, courage, responsibility, and respect) in words and actions across all aspects of academic endeavour.

Staff are required to report suspected misconduct. This includes all types of plagiarism, cheating, collusion, fabrication or falsification of data/content or other misconduct relating to assessment such as the falsification of medical certificates for assessment extensions. The longer term personal, social and financial consequences of misconduct can be severe, so please ask for help if you are unsure.

If your work is subject to an inquiry, you will be given an opportunity to respond and appropriate support will be provided. Academic work under inquiry will not be marked until the process has concluded. Penalties for misconduct include a warning, reduced grade, a requirement to repeat the assessment, suspension or expulsion from the University.

Feedback on assessment

Feedback on assessment will be provided to students according to the requirements of the Assessment Procedure Schedule A - Assessment Communication Procedure.

Whilst in most cases feedback should be provided within two weeks of the assessment submission due date, the Procedure should be checked if the assessment is linked to others or if the subject is a non-standard (e.g., intensive) subject.

Accessibility and Inclusion Support

Support is available to students where a physical, mental or neurological condition exists that would impact the student’s capacity to complete studies, exams or assessment tasks. For effective support, special requirement needs should be arranged with the University in advance of or at the start of each semester, or, for acute conditions, as soon as practicable after the condition arises. Reasonable adjustments are not guaranteed where applications are submitted late in the semester (for example, when lodged just prior to critical assessment and examination dates).

As outlined in the Accessibility and Inclusion Policy, to qualify for support, students must meet certain criteria. Students are also required to meet with the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor who will ensure that reasonable adjustments are afforded to qualifying students.

For more information and to apply online, visit BondAbility.

Additional subject information

Students may be asked to respond to questions from the subject coordinator regarding the content of their assessments. Students are expected to keep evidence of drafting and research.

Subject curriculum

Approved on: Jul 3, 2023. Edition: 1.24
Last updated: Feb 2, 2024
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