« CHAPTER 18 | Main | SOCIAL STUDIES TEN RESEARCH PAPER »

LAW 12 RESEARCH ESSAY

Lawbooks This term paper for Law 12, the most significant research undertaking you will do this semester. Your research essay should be approximately 1500 - 2000 words in length (6-8 double-spaced, typed pages) and must adhere to the Modern Languages Association guidelines (you will receive a handout outlining proper procedures of the MLA format).

Online : Using Modern Language Association (MLA) Format (source: Purdue University Online Writing Lab) OR Citation Machine.

Check out the Model Essay links at the bottom of this page.  Posted by Peter Timusk, a Carleton University Student, you may find these essays useful in helping you choose a resaerch topic, or in getting a sense of how to write your paper.
................................................

Working individually, research one of the topics below. Your essay should demonstrate understanding and application of the following learning outcomes:

  1. • legal research                                  
  2. • presentation of information
  3. • current issues in law                         
  4. • application of legal principles
  5. • expository and persuasive writing
  6. • organization

................................................
A research paper is a typewritten paper presenting your views and research findings on a chosen topic. Your task is to read in depth on a particular topic, develop a research question to explore, evaluate the information that you find, develop a thesis and report on those findings using specific evidence to support them. Your paper will include facts, quotations and/or illustrations from reference material to support your viewpoint.

................................................
You will need to do a considerable amount of independent research. You may find any or all of the following information useful in your research:

· Dr. Charles Best Secondary Library  (Catalogue)

· Coquitlam Public Library

· Douglas College Library or UBC  Library or  SFU Library

· The Internet

................................................
Note: You must consult a minimum of six direct sources of information. Included in your cited information, you must include the following:

· quotations from a Canadian national newspaper (the National Post or Globe and Mail)

· quotations from a periodical or journal (Macleans, Time, etc.)

· primary source quotation from a Canadian member of parliament or cabinet minister

· quotation/citation from specific legislation (Criminal Code, Charter, relevant Acts, etc.)

· quotation from a personal interview with a source (advocacy group, government official, law enforcement, medical health, political candidate, etc.)

Note: Your paper absolutely must include proper citation of sources or it will not be marked. Papers that do not include references to a minimum of four sources will not be evaluated.

................................................

Some Suggested topics:

1. The Charter's impact on criminal law

2. The role of victims in the criminal justice system

3. The treatment of child witnesses in criminal trials

4. Plea bargaining

5. Sexual assault and the law

6. Canada's parole legislation

7. Treatment of sexual offenders

8. Abortion law

9. Youth Criminal Justice Act

10. The need for physician-assisted suicide

11. Canada's gun control legislation

12. Same sex couples: the extension of rights to gay and lesbian couples

13. Leniency in the criminal justice system

14. The power of the Supreme Court: too much, too little or just right?

15. Capital Punishment: an objective analysis of the need for (or no need for)  capital punishment. 

16. Canada's court system: are we becoming too litigious?

17. A topic of your own choosing, subject to my approval

· note: a limited number of students will be permitted to research each topic on a first come, first served basis

Suggested places to search for information:

We have set up a site of RSS  law feeds, full of just released information:

• Criminal Code Statutes

• Federal Statutes and Regulations 

• Online Databases of magazines, newspapers (e.g. EBSCO)

• newspaper clippings

• magazines or periodicals

• internet searches on the topic

• relevant case law to support your thesis

Suggested web sites for legal research:

Law Courts Education Society of BC

Best Guide to Canadian Legal Research (UBC)

Courts of British Columbia

Department of Justice Canada

UBC Law Library

Canadian Legal Information Institute

...............................................................
 
Due Dates:

Research Question Approved:   

Research Notes Submitted (in approved format)   

Research Essay Outline Submitted:   

Draft of Essay:   

Final Essay Submission:   
...........................................

Model Essays posted by Peter Timusk.