Discussion Assignment: Law in the World around You
1. Assignment Overview
This is an introductory activity designed to get you researching and thinking about the law at work in the world around you. For maximum benefit, you should complete the readings and watch the instructional videos for Week 1 before participating in this activity.
1.1. Learning Outcome Alignment
This discussion activity aligns with the following course–level learning outcome:
CLO 3: Examine how the law affects your everyday life.
1.2. Time for Completion
The estimated time to complete this discussion activity is 2 hours.
1.3. Due Date
This exercise has two tasks each with a different due date as posted in onQ. Please make sure that you adhere to these deadlines as you must respond to the case of one of your fellow students as part of Task #2.
2. Assignment Instructions
Consider the course material for this week, and research, identify, and discuss another example of a legal matter in the news or otherwise in the world around you. Explain why you think this matter is of legal significance. If you are struggling to think of an example, you might want to see what you can find online, and you might find it interesting to consider other discussions of the Rule of Law around the world (a useful resource might be the United Nations and the Rule of Law website).
2.1. Task #1: Initial Post
Provide an analysis of your legal matter from the world around you in 250 words or less, and post your response to the discussion forum. You might find it helpful to draft your analysis in a
word processing program before posting it to the forum. Note that you must start a thread before you can read and reply to other threads in each topic.
2.2. Task #2: Responses to Your Colleagues
Read the posts of some of your colleagues and select a minimum of one (1) post for which you will prepare a response. In 250 words or less, add your own comment on the legal matter they have identified, either expanding upon or arguing against why or how they have identified the matter as legally significant. Consider applying the 3 Cs + Q Framework when forming your responses. Discussion forums are an excellent tool for learning from each other and networking. Your posts should be well thought out and contribute to enhancing everyone’s learning.
2.3. Citing Sources
Ensure that all information taken from other sources for your assignment is properly cited. Students should be aware that the standard for legal citation in Canada is the Uniform Guide to Canadian Legal Citation, also known as the McGill Guide. The Queen’s University Law Librarians have developed useful resources on Legal Citation with the 9th Edition of the McGill Guide. A link to this resource is available in the Begin Here module of the course. Please visit this website for further information on preparing your citations according to this style. However, provided it is used consistently and correctly, Certificate in Law students may use their preferred academic citation style, such as APA or MLA.
3. Evaluation
This assignment is one of several discussion forum activities that are equally weighted. Together all discussion forums contribute 10% of your final grade in LAW 201/701. Each forum will be evaluated according to the following grading framework.