Overview
Legal Studies 479 is designed to give students practical knowledge of the legal aspects of local or municipal government in Alberta. This course will be of particular interest to those either employed or interested in local government or who have occasion to deal with local government in their professional, business, or private lives. By the end of this course, students should be able to recognize problems and situations involving local government that require legal counsel.
Course Objectives
After completing this course, students should be able to
- explain the basics of the law relating to municipalities, particularly in Alberta;
- describe the duties, responsibilities, and limitations of municipalities;
- explain the functions of municipalities and the scope of their authority; and
- work effectively with and in municipalities, and other agencies that interconnect with municipalities, such as utility providers.
Outline
- Unit 1: Local Government Authority
- Unit 2: Municipalities and Changes in Their Status
- Unit 3: Municipal Councils and Bylaws
- Unit 4: Municipal Finances
- Unit 5: Public Utility Services
- Unit 6: Transportation in Municipalities
- Unit 7: Land Use and Planning
- Unit 8: Intergovernmental Relations
Evaluation
To receive credit for LGST 479, you must achieve an overall course grade of at least "D" (50 percent) and receive a mark of at least 50% on the final examination. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Assignment 1 | Assignment 2 | Assignment 3 | Assignment 4 | Assignment 5 | Final Exam | Total |
| 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 50% | 100% |
The final examination for this course must be taken online with an AU-approved exam invigilator at an approved invigilation centre. It is your responsibility to ensure your chosen invigilation centre can accommodate online exams. For a list of invigilators who can accommodate online exams, visit the Exam Invigilation Network.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
All course materials for LGST 479 are available online.
Challenge for Credit Course Overview
The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.
Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Challenge Evaluation
To receive credit for the LGST 479 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least “D” (50 percent) on the examination. A letter grade will be given based upon the examination mark awarded.
Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
