1. CLU3M- Introduction
Law and Society

2. Law: Its Purpose and History
Everybody has a direct experience with it
Law and legal issues affect everyone (be in school, drive a car, where you can work, get paid, renovate a basement)
Incredibly important to know your rights and responsibilities

3. Canada and its Law
Every country has its own history and culture that has shaped its laws and punishment
Laws tell us about a country’s past (any examples?)
Laws reveal the current values and beliefs of a country’s citizens (today?)

4. What is Law?
like rules to a game yet apply to all members of society at all times
Laws regulate our activities from birth to death
Therefore: Individuals are free to do whatever they want, with one exception: You must not do those things the law forbids, or prohibits
Those that don’t agree with a law can lobby the government to change it through joining a lobby or pressure group

5. What is Law? Laws tend to change with time and according to location
Our constitution (The Canada Act) was created in our laws cannot be the same today as then
On a smaller scale- laws regarding snow removal are important here but not in Vancouver
Laws reflect the values and practical concerns in provinces, states, counties and cultures.

6. Why Do We Have Laws?
Laws usually create clear understanding about expected behaviour
As society grows it needs more law to control and limit the behaviour of its citizens
To enforce these laws, a society introduces punishments for breaking the law
If the laws do not change with society, then conflict and revolt will occur

7. Function of Law Establish rules of Conduct Ex:
Provide a system of Enforcement
Protect Rights and Freedoms
Protect Society
Resolve Disputes
EX:

8. Law and Morality
Laws are mostly practical (regulating traffic))- but many reflect the moral values of the majority of society
Controversial (why?)
Physician assisted suicide
Capital Punishment
Abortion
Corporal punishment for children
Drug use
Possession of certain types of images
Sex education
Torture
Terrorism

9. Law and Justice Ultimate goal of law is to ensure justice for all
What is Justice?
Equality, fairness, accessibility, liberty, freedom
Case by case situations or Letter of the law?

11. Justice Treat like cases alike and different cases differently
We consider a law unjust if it discriminates on the basis of irrelevant characteristics
Justice should be impartial; that is laws should be applied regardless of a person’s position or financial status
We expect the law itself to be just in that it conforms to society’s values and beliefs

12. R. v. Dudley and Stephens

13. Justice
See handout- Justice activity

14. Anti-Terrorism Legislation
'Sometimes these things can become wins for extremists and terrorists. They are trying to provoke further attacks and if the response reinforces their perspective on the state of the world, then it ends up helping their cause.‘
- Scott Stewart, VP of tactical analysis at Stratfor
5 Things to know about Ottawa’s new anti-terrorism measures