PRESCRIBED LEARNING OUTCOMES
It is expected that students will:
• investigate the roots of Canada’s political and
legal systems, including the development of
two legal systems from two cultures
(The French Colonial System; The British Colonial System)
SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES
• Guide a discussion on the two legal systems: English
common law, as practised in the English colonies;
and French civil law, as practised in New France.
Then, through role play, have students dramatize the
different ways each of these legal systems would
deal with the same legal problem (e.g., land
ownership). (property law in Quebec)
SUGGESTED ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES
Before students dramatize different ways that various legal systems would deal with the same legal problem, discuss task requirements and criteria. For example, to what extent do the dramatizations:
- present the issue in appropriate legal terms
- refer to relevant codified principles or precedents
- illustrate relevant roles and responsibilities of the participants involved
- present a decision that is consistent with the evidence and the relevant codes or precedents
RESOURCES
Law Courts Education Society of BC
Mixed jurisdictions : common law vs civil law (codified and uncodified) -teacher resource
Canadian law: a history
Quebec's civil code
Quebec Act Passed
Québec’s court system
Building democracy
