*This outline is subject to change. Please check it regularly for updated information.
Session |
Topics |
Recommended Readings |
Week 1: Sept. 8-12
|
● Introduction to the course ● Library orientation including tour of building and computer laboratory
|
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Week 2: Sept. 15-19
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● Brian Dickson Law Library website ● What does legal research entail?● importance of legal research ● primary vs. secondary resources ● recognizing & deciphering legal abbreviations |
● Introduction in Legal Research Manual: http://legalresearchprinciples.pbwiki.com/Introduction |
Week 3: Sept. 22-26
|
● anatomy of a case ● case law reporters ● how cases are published ● start Canadian Abridgment (print)
|
● Legal Research Manual – Canadian Jurisprudence (all of Section 1 under Part 1: Jurisprudence: http://legalresearchprinciples.pbwiki.com/Legal+Research+Manual) ● Tjaden, Legal Research and Writing (“Researching Case Law” - pp.80-93)
|
Week 4: Sept. 29-Oct.3
|
● more case law ● noting up cases ● more Canadian Abridgment |
● Fitzgerald, Maureen. “Chapter 9: How to Find and Update Cases” in Legal Problem Solving: Reasoning, Research & Writing, 4th ed. (Toronto: LexisNexis Butterworths, 2007). |
Week 5: Oct. 6-10
|
● secondary legal material ● Visit to the Human Rights Documentation Centre (Alan Fleichman, Librarian) |
● Fitzgerald, Maureen. “Chapter 6: How to Find Secondary Materials” in Legal Problem Solving: Reasoning, Research & Writing, 4th ed. (Toronto: LexisNexis Butterworths, 2007).
● All of Part II: Secondary Material: http://legalresearchprinciples.pbwiki.com/Legal+Research+Manual
● Review Part 6: Secondary Sources in the Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation to see what constitutes a ‘secondary source’. |
Week 6: Oct. 14-17
(no class on Thanksgiving, Oct.13) |
● more secondary legal material including less traditional sources ● review of material covered to date |
|
Week 7: Oct. 20-24
|
WestlaweCarswell Training (Lab inside Library: Rm 430)
● Major Research Assignment handed out |
● Legal Research Manual – Using WestlaweCarswell (Review: http://legalresearchprinciples.pbwiki.com/Using+WestlaweCarswell)
|
Week 8: Oct. 27-31
|
Quicklaw Training (Lab inside Library: Rm 430) |
● Legal Research Manual – Using LexisNexis Quicklaw (Review: http://legalresearchprinciples.pbwiki.com/Using+LexisNexis+Quicklaw)
● Quick Reference Guide [12 page PDF] Optional: various QL training materials
|
Week 9: Nov. 3-7
|
● interdisciplinary research – other databases / sources of interest
|
● Sullivan, Kathleen M. "Foreword: interdisciplinarity" (May 2002) 100:6 Mich.L.Rev. 1217. |
Week 10: Nov. 10-14
|
● Legislation : Canada & Ontario (bills, statutes, regulations, debates, etc.) ● Tracing the history of statutes |
● Legal Research Manual – Legislation (Part III: http://legalresearchprinciples.pbwiki.com/Legal+Research+Manual Review Federal Statutes & Federal Regulations, Ontario Statutes & Ontario Regulations)
● British Columbia Courthouse Library Society, Researching Legislation, Part 3: Legislative Intent. |
Week 11: Nov. 17-21
|
● Legislation – electronic: Canada & Ontario ● Updating / noting up legislation ● In-class course evaluation |
● Fitzgerald, Maureen. “Chapter 7: How to Find and Update Statutes” in Legal Problem Solving: Reasoning, Research & Writing, 4th ed. (Toronto: LexisNexis Butterworths, 2007).
● British Columbia Courthouse Library Society, Researching Legislation, Part 2: Noting Up Legislation. |
Week 12: Nov. 24-28
|
● Time to work on Major Research Assignment ● Continue w/legislation? ● Review of material |
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December 3, 2008 by 5:00 pm | ● Major Research Assignment due |