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SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
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EDUCATION 448-4
LAW IN THE CURRICULUM
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(D1.00)
Summer Session, 1992 ?
Instructor: Wanda Cassidy
(June 29—August 7)
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Office: ?
MPX8667
Tuesday & Thursday, 1:00-4:50 p.m.
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Phone: ?
291-4484/4570
Location: MPX 9511
"There isn't a single act that any government can do that does not
have to
find
its source in the legal system. It's just as important that
our citizens have some appreciation of law as of English, French
literature or economics."
Former Chief Justice of Canada, Bora Laskin
PREREQUISITE:
60 hours of credit.
OVERVIEW
This is a methodology course which examines different ways that law (broadly
defined) can be taught to elementary and secondary school students. The course is
suited for teachers at all grade levels, and is equally applicable for teachers
unfamiliar with teaching legal concepts as experienced teachers of law.
OBJECTIVES
Law is an integral part of the school curricula. Legal concepts and skills are found in
the new Primary, Intermediate, and Graduation programs, and in courses such as
Language Arts, Social Studies, Family Life, Consumer Education, and Law 12.
Teachers also convey notions about law through the hidden curriculum of their
classrooms - in the way they handle decisions, manage conflict, and structure student
activities.
In this course teachers and prospective teachers will examine a number of law-related
instructional strategies and develop materials for use in their classrooms. Teachers
enrolled in the course will participate in a mock trial or moot appeal to be conducted at
the Law Courts. Two other sessions will be held off campus at legal institutions.
SAMPLE TOPICS
1. Rationale for teaching law in the schools
2.
Law in the formal and informal curriculum
3. Addressing legal concepts and skills
4. Using the community as a resource
5. Law-related instructional strategies (for e.g. mock trials, moot appeals, case
studies, conflict resolution, storydrama)
6. Conducting legal research
7. The law and youth
8.
Developing classroom materials
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REQUIREMENTS
Report on a community resource, participation in a mock trial or moot appeal,
development of a short curriculum unit, a short paper (4 pages) on one aspect of law-
related education, attendance and participation in class.
REQUIRED TEXTS
A source book of readings, available on the first day of classes: $20.00 charge
Coombs, et al. (Eds.). (1990). Ends in View: An Analysis of the Goals of Law-
Related Education. Vancouver: UBC and SFU.
