Law studies 12

Ministry code: LST 12


It is recommended that students complete: Explorations in Social Studies 11.

View the complete Learning Standards for this course here:   Law Studies 12

Law Studies 12 helps students understand how laws and regulations are made, applied and reviewed, better understanding the role of law and the benefits of the legal system. Law Studies 12 fosters skills and attitudes that enhance students’ abilities to address legal, social and ethical issues, and reflect critically on the role of law in society.

Major topics include the Canadian constitution and system of government, aspects of criminal and civil law, and the correctional system in Canada.

MODULE 1: Foundations of Law

Section 1: Definition and Purposes

  • Lesson 1: What is Law?
  • Lesson 2: Rules and Laws
  • Lesson 3: The Relationship Between Laws and Morals
  • Lesson 1 & 2 Practice Questions

Section 2: History, Evolution and Classification of Canadian Law

  • Lesson 1: Legal Developments in the Western World
  • Lesson 2: Canadian Common Law
  • Lesson 3: Statute Law
  • Lesson 4: Civil Code Law
  • Lesson 5: Types of Law
  • Lesson 6: How Judges Use Sources of Law
  • Practice Quizzes
    Assignment: The Jogger and the Cyclist
    Section Quiz

Section 3: The Canadian Court System and Alternatives

  • Lesson 1: The Canadian Court System
  • Lesson 2: Appointment of Judges and Judicial Independence
  • Lesson 3: What Happens in a Courtroom?
  • Lesson 4: People in a Courtroom
  • Lesson 5: Alternatives to Court
  • Lesson 6: Restorative Justice
  • Lesson 7: Alternatives to Civil Court
  • Assignment: Provincial Court Judge
    Section Quiz

Section 4: Canada and International Law

  • Lesson 1: The United Nations
  • Lesson 2: The International Court of Justice
  • Lesson 3: The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda
  • Lesson 4: The International Criminal Court
  • Lesson 5: The World Trade Organization
  • Lesson 6: Canada: A History of Refuge
  • Assignment: The International Court of Justice
    Section Quiz

Module 1 Project & Test

MODULE 2: Criminal Law

Section 1: Criminal Law

  • Lesson 1: Criminal Law Overview
  • Lesson 2: Criminal Law Explained
  • Lesson 3: Crime
  • Lesson 4: Causes of Crime
  • Lesson 5: Elements of a Crime
  • Lesson 6: Types of Criminal Offences
  • Lesson 7: The Criminal Court System
  • Lesson 8: Trial and Court Participants
  • Lesson 9: Parties to an Offence
  • Assignment: Criminal Law
    Section Quiz

Section 2: Introduction to the Criminal Code of Canada

  • Lesson 1: The Criminal Code of Canada
  • Lesson 2: Offences Against a Person
  • Lesson 3: Violent Crime
  • Lesson 4: Actions with High Social Impact
  • Lesson 5: Other Crimes
  • Lesson 6: Property Crime
  • Lesson 7: Crimes Related to Driving
  • Lesson 8: Youth Justice in Canada
  • Assignment: A Family Abduction Scenario
    Section Quiz

Section 3: Powers of Arrest and Arrest Procedures

  • Lesson 1: The Police
  • Lesson 2: Legal Rights of the Accused
  • Lesson 3: Search Laws
  • Lesson 4: Release Procedures
  • Lesson 5: Awaiting Trial
  • Lesson 6: Court Appearances
  • Assignment: Arrested at a Protest
    Section Quiz

Section 4: The Court in Action

  • Lesson 1: Trial Procedures and Motions
  • Lesson 2: Juries and Jury Selection
  • Lesson 3: Presentation of Evidence
  • Lesson 4: A Mock Trial
  • Lesson 5: Types of Defence
  • Lesson 6: Jury Deliberation
  • Lesson 7: Sentencing
  • Lesson 8: Types of Sentences
  • Lesson 9: Victims’ Rights
  • Lesson 10: Rights to Appeal
  • Lesson 11: Corrections
  • Lesson 12: Release
  • Assignment: Principles of Sentencing
    Section Quiz

Module 2 Project & Test

MODULE 3: Civil Law

Section 1: Civil Law and the Civil Court System

  • Lesson 1: Introduction to Civil Law
  • Lesson 2: Tort or Crime?
  • Lesson 3: Considering Civil Court Action
  • Lesson 4: Taking it to Court
  • Lesson 5: Civil Remedies
  • Lesson 6: Enforcing a Judgment
  • Lesson 7: Alternatives to Court Action
  • Lesson Practice Questions
    Assignment: Do SLAPP Lawsuits Discourage Public Participation in B.C.?
    Section Quiz

Section 2: Nature and Purpose of Tort Law

  • Lesson 1: Introduction to Tort Law
  • Lesson 2: Negligence
  • Lesson 3: No Proof Required
  • Lesson 4: Defences for Negligence
  • Lesson 5: Types of Liability
  • Lesson 6: Vicarious Liability
  • Lesson 7: Intentional Torts
  • Lesson 8: Wrongs to a Person and Property
  • Lesson 9: Defences for Trespass
  • Liabilities Practice
    Assignment: A Case of Negligence
    Section Quiz

Section 3: The Elements of a Contract

  • Lesson 1: What is a Contract?
  • Lesson 2: Landlords and Tenants
  • Lesson 3: The Elements of a Valid Contract
  • Lesson 4: Discharging the Contract
  • Lesson 5: Breach of Contract
  • Assignment: Broken Rental Contract
    Section Quiz

Section 4: Employment Relationships

  • Lesson 1: Employment Law
  • Lesson 2: Wages
  • Lesson 3: Independent Contractors
  • Lesson 4: Termination of Employment
  • Lesson 5: The Laws Affecting Employers
  • Assignment: Web Design Contract
    Section Quiz

Module 3 Project & Test

MODULE 4: Rights, Family and Indigenous Law

Section 1: Family Law

  • Lesson 1: Families and Societies in Change
  • Lesson 2: The Dynamics of Change
  • Lesson 3: Same Sex Marriage in Canada
  • Lesson 4: Marriage Requirements
  • Lesson 5: Ending a Relationship
  • Lesson 6: Property Division and Spousal Support
  • Lesson 7: Common Law/Cohabitation Agreements
  • Lesson 8: Parents and Children
  • Lesson 9: Parental Access
  • Lesson 10: Adoption and Eligibility
  • Lesson Practice Questions
    Assignment: Family Law
    Section Quiz

Section 2: An Introduction to Wills

  • Lesson 1: What is a Will?
  • Lesson 2: Rules for Making a Valid Will
  • Lesson 3: Dying Without a Will
  • Lesson 4: Estate Settlement
  • Assignment: Writing a Will
    Section Quiz

Section 3: The Canadian Constitution and Legislative Process

  • Lesson 1: An Introduction to the Canadian Constitution
  • Lesson 2: The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
  • Lesson 3: Resolving Infringements of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
  • Lesson 4: Recent Events in Canada’s Constitutional History
  • Lesson 5: Making Laws
  • Lesson 6: The B.C. Ombudsperson

Section 4: Indigenous Law

  • Lesson 1: Defining Indigenous Law
  • Lesson 2: Indigenous Status
  • Lesson 3: Remembering the Past
  • Lesson 4: Rights of Indigenous People
  • Lesson 5: Legal Status of Indigenous Communities
  • Lesson 6: Taxation
  • Lesson 7: Indigenous Justice Systems
  • Assignment: Making Ethical Judgements
    Section Quiz

Module 4 Project & Test

ASSESSMENT

  • First Assignment 10%
  • Section Assignments (14 total) 35%
  • Section Quizzes (14 total) 15%
  • Module Projects (4 total) 20%
  • Module Tests (4 in total) 20%

Required Resources:  a computer with internet access and headphones/speakers.

BC Performance Standards