Human Rights and Civil Liberties

Curriculum guideline

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Course
CRIM 3335
Discontinued
No
Course code
CRIM 3335
Descriptive
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Department
Criminology
Faculty
Humanities & Social Sciences
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
Yes
Semester length
15
Max class size
35
Course designation
Certificate in Global Competency
Industry designation
None
Contact hours
Lecture: 4 hrs per week / semester
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Learning activities

The following methods of instruction will be utilized:

  • Lectures
  • Class discussions
Course description
This course focuses on the relationship between government and the individual. The primary focus is on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and its interpretation by the judiciary. An examination of issues including equality before the law, freedom of expression, freedom of religion and democratic rights are examined. A study of rights at the international, federal and provincial levels will also be included.
Course content

 

  1. Introduction and Overview
    • Historical context for human rights and civil liberties
    • Current context for human rights and civil liberties
    • The role of judicial review
  2. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
    • Interpretation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
    • Limits placed upon Charter rights
    • Charter litigation and remedies
    • Fundamental Freedoms, Life, liberty and security of the person, Legal Rights, Equality Rights
  3. Non-Charter Protection for Human Rights
    • Provincial Human Rights Acts
    • Federal Human Rights Act
    • International Human Rights

 

Learning outcomes

At the conclusion of this course the successful student will be able to:

  1. Describe the historical context within which the Charter was developed.
  2. Illustrate other legal protections for human rights and civil liberties, aside from the Charter.
  3. Examine the applicability of the Federal Canadian Human Rights Act.
  4. Explain the applicability of Provincial Human Rights Codes.
  5. Illustrate the overall structure and purpose of the Charter.
  6. Compare and contrast the competing views on the legitimacy of judicial review under the Charter.
  7. Identify and describe the limitations on legislated human rights.
  8. Explain the basic structure and process of human rights litigation.
  9. Identify and describe the remedies available under human rights law.
  10. Explain Charter fundamental freedoms, equality rights, s.7 rights, democratic rights, mobility rights and legal rights with reference to leading case law 
  11. Apply Human Rights Law to current social, political and economic issues in Canada.
  12. Interpret the protection of human rights at the international level
  13. Analyze the overlap and distinction between the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and International Human Rights Law
  14. Examine the complexity and competing claims for the protection and limition of human rights, civil liberties, and collective interests.
Means of assessment

Evaluation will be based upon the course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policies. The instructor will provide a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the course. Evaluation will be based upon the following:

  • Exams
  • Research paper or other written assignment
  • Class attendance and participation

An example of one possible evaluation scheme would be:

Class attendance and participation:  10%
Midterm exam:  30%
Research paper:  30%
Final exam:  30%
Total 100%
Textbook materials

Textbooks will be updated periodically.  Typical examples include:

 

  • Sharpe, R. & Roach, K. (2017) The Charter of Rights and Freedoms. (6th Ed). Toronto: Irwin Law.

 

Other:

The text will be supplemented by more recent case law and legislation as required. Web-links to this case law and legislation can be provided to students so they can be accessed at no cost and without any copyright violation by the college.

Prerequisites

CRIM 1160

Corequisites

Courses listed here must be completed either prior to or simultaneously with this course:

  • No corequisite courses
Equivalencies

Courses listed here are equivalent to this course and cannot be taken for further credit:

  • No equivalency courses