453 Evidence (Sankoff)

LAW453 

Evidence

(Sankoff)

Prerequisite courses:

Prerequisite for: Advocacy (LAW 608) / Advanced Evidence (LAW 675)

Instructor(s): Professor Peter Sankoff

Course credit: 3

Method of presentation: Other

PLEASE NOTE: This course operates by using the model of the Flipped Classroom.  In contrast to many of your law classes, this course will proceed on the premise that learning is best accomplished by doing.  There will be almost no lecture content in this course.  Instead, the classroom will be "flipped" so that students received a video lecture outside of class designed to prepare them for difficult exercises that students will attempt to solve in class.  These exercises will model real evidence problems you would confront in court. 

METHOD OF EVALUATION

100 percent open book final examination.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides students with an essential overview of the law of evidence in both criminal and civil proceedings. The following topics are covered (time permitting): the sources and goals of the law of evidence; the calling of witnesses; relevance, probative value and prejudicial effect; hearsay; opinion evidence; direct and cross-examination; the rule against oath-helping; character; and several types of privilege.

SPECIAL COMMENTS

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE FLIPPED CLASSROOM FORMAT IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. If you prefer to receive detailed lectures setting out every aspect of the law of evidence, I highly advise that you take a different section of Evidence.  This class only functions well with students who are willing to work during class time, able to attend class regularly, eager to try something different, and ready to participate in class.  To learn more about the Flipped Classroom and how this class operates, see my website at www.petersankoff.com, and click on the heading "Teaching".  You may also wish to watch Capsule 1 under the Evidence Capsules on the website.

Description updated 2020-21. Please contact the instructor for any specific questions you may have related to this particular course section.

REQUIRED TEXTS (IF ANY): 

David M. Paciocco & Lee Stuesser, The Law of Evidence, 7th ed. (Toronto: Irwin Law, 2015)