Controversy in Canada

I. Background to the Assignment

In Canada there is often a conflict going on between upholding people’s freedom

and upholding law and order within society. Freedom is the ability to act, speak,
and think as one chooses. Order is the government’s ability to impose rules,
standards, and restrictions in order to create peace and security in society. This
conflict between freedom and order is often seen in the many controversies that
exist in our Canadian society.

II. The Assignment Procedure

Step 1 – Pick An Issue

I would like each group to choose a contemporary controversy in Canada from the
list below. This will be your research and presentation topic.

• Polygamy Laws in Canada

• Marijuana Laws in Canada
• Drinking-age Laws
• Tobacco Advertising in Saskatchewan
• Banning of the Hajib in schools and amateur sport
• Barring wearers of the Hajib from voting stations in federal elections
• Banning of the Kirpaan in public schools
• Firearm registration
• Other (if you have another idea about a freedom of choice issue in
Canada that you’d like to do, check with me before you proceed with the
assignment)

Step 2 – Get to Know the Issue

Once you have chosen a controversy from the above list, I would like you to
research it so that you are familiar with the issue (from both sides). Please
research the history and the cases/arguments for both the two opposing sides
of your controversy. Find out everything you can about the issue.
Step 3 – Finding a Resolution to the Issue

Based on your understanding of the issue, please select a model (European or

Iroquoian) that you feel might best create a resolution to your problem. Once you
have selected a model, create a detailed explanation of how the model might
resolve the controversy.

Step 4 – Present on the Issue

As a group, you will create either a Power Point or Prezi presentation on your
chosen issue. Your presentation should have the following format:

• Introduction to the controversial issue

• Present both sides of the issue

• Explain the resolution model you’ve selected and how it might work

• Conclude your presentation with two thought-provoking questions for class

discussion

Presentation Dates (please check the date assigned to you:

Wednesday, September 22nd _____

Thursday, September 23rd _____

This assignment will be marked out of 32 marks on the following rubric.

Please observe the rubric as you complete this assignment.

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1

Collaboration Almost always Usually listens Often listens Rarely listens

with Peers listens to, to, shares with, to, shares with, to, shares with,
shares with, and supports and supports and supports
and supports the efforts of the efforts of the efforts of
the efforts of others in the others in the others in the
others in the group. Does group but group. Often is
group. Tries to not cause sometimes is not a good
keep people "waves" in the not a good team member.
working well group. team member.
together.

Preparedness Group is Group seems Group is Group does not

completely pretty prepared somewhat seem at all
prepared and but might have prepared, but it prepared to
has obviously needed a is clear that present.
rehearsed. couple more rehearsal was
rehearsals. lacking.

Time-Limit Presentation is Presentation is Presentation is Presentation is

at least 9-10 6-8 minutes 4-5 minutes 3 minutes or
minutes long. long. long. less
Content Shows a full Shows a good Shows a good Does not seem
understanding understanding understanding to understand
of the of the of parts of the the
controversial controversial controversial controversial
issue. issue. issue. issue very well.

Two Sides of Gives a full Gives a good Gives a poor Does not
the Issue and detailed explanation of explanation of seem to
explanation of the two sides the issue. May understand the
each side`s of the issue. over represent either of the
case in the There was one one over the two sides of the
issue omission or other, or have issue.
error. many factual
errors or
omissions.

Explanation Excellent Good Gave poor Does not

of the Model explanation & explanation & explanation & understand the
application of application of application of model chosen
the selected model, but was the model or how it
model to the vague in one through relates to their
issue. spot or left 1 vagueness or issue.
thing out. omission.

Two Excellent Good Poor choice of Poorly

Concluding concluding concluding concluding selected
Discussion questions that questions, but questions in questions and a
Questions were did not try to that they rushed
thoughtful and lead class in a showed very discussion.
got their meaningful little thought or Obviously just
audience discussion. OR understanding going through
talking. one of the two of the issue. the motions of
Thought went questions was Did try to what the
into selecting excellent. engage the assignment
these class in a required.
questions. concluding
discussion.

Power Point Presentation Presentation Poor Substandard

of Prezi vehicle was vehicle was presentation presentation
excellent. good, but could vehicle in that entirely
There was a have been there was a lot overloaded
good balance more thorough of text and ill- text, ill-placed
of text and in text or placed images. or irrelevant
image. A image. There There was an images. No
second was no second attempt at a second
presentation presentation second presentations
vehicle was vehicle (video, presentation vehicle (video,
used (video, newspaper, vehicle (video, newspaper, etc)
newspaper, etc) . newspaper, .
etc) etc)