Relationships among the state, individuals, and communities are considered in the context of Canadian criminal law. The legal rights provisions of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, selected topics in criminal procedure and the principles of substantive criminal law will be the main focus of this course. The latter concentrates on elements of offences, justifications, excuses, non-exculpatory defenses, inchoate crimes and secondary liability for offences. Teaching is conducted by lecture and discussion of assigned materials including the Criminal Code (which is also used to illustrate methods and problems of statutory interpretation) and a volume of cases and materials. Deferred Course in Criminal Justice: First year students should note that there are a few places available in the intensive Deferred Course in Criminal Justice which replaces the regular full year course. Students who are enrolled in this small group course do not take Criminal Justice during the regular term and must be prepared to extend their academic year for about six weeks, from approximately late April until early June. Students wishing to select this option must apply to the Studies Committee and must provide cogent reasons demonstrating that they would benefit from enrolment in the course. Factors such as mature student status, parenting responsibilities, illness, disability, the need for employment during the regular term and other personal circumstances may be taken into consideration. Students are able to choose from a wide range of evaluative options in this course. Contact Professor Kaiser for further information.