The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms established a constitutional protection for civil liberty. The course explores the important philosophical issues surrounding such guarantees. The fundamental liberty, freedom of expression, provides the framework within which the inquiry is executed. Historical and conceptual issues to be explored include three key concepts: the tension between liberty and community; the question of the legal enforcement of morality; and the uniqueness of Canadian constitutional democracy. Leading Supreme Court of Canada decisions are utilized but no prior knowledge of the law is required. Students may not retain credit for both PHIL 2575 & POLI 2575. (lec 3) cr 6
