Thursday, February 15. 2024

Today's schedule is DCBA

D Block Physical Geography - Today we'll discuss the differences between Sial and Sima (continental and oceanic crust) along with figuring out what buoyancy and isostasy are. You'll need to complete a question on isostasy, isostatic rebound, and crustal equilibrium. We'll also transfer some notes into our week 3 package on the rock cycle. If you need help look at the Geology for Kids web page or the e-notes on Earthfacts

If there's time we'll begin our look at Igneous processes...

Check out the Dynamic Earth Interactive Rock Identification site here
Check out the Rock Cycle/Type animation from the BBC
Check out the Rock Cycle from the Geological Society here
Check out CK-12 Igneous Rock,  Sedimentary Rock or Metamorphic rock information.

C Block Human Geography - Few ecosystems have been as thoroughly modified by humans as the Netherlands and Florida's Everglades. Because more than half of the Netherlands lies below sea level, most of the country today would be under water if it were not for massive projects to modify the environment by holding back the sea. Meanwhile, the fragile landscape of south Florida has been altered in insensitive ways. So I'd like you to identify in point form the problems in both these locations and explain what have humans done (Describe the human modifications and adaptations to these two environments). Then I'd like you to answer the following question at the end of your week 1 package?:

Both the Netherlands and the Florida Everglades face threats to sustainability. Which is better positioned to face future challenges? Explain your answer. 

To help check out the videos on yesterday's blog and the following:

Everglades in crisis: can this Florida treasure avert an environmental tragedy?
Why is it Important to Restore the Everglades?
The Everglades Threats to the Ecosystem

Humans and the Everglades

7 Threats and 7 Solutions in Southern Florida’s Fight Against Climate Change

Florida's Sea Level Is Rising

Will Florida be lost forever to the climate crisis?

The Dutch Have Solutions to Rising Seas. The World Is Watching.
Can the Dutch save the world from the danger of rising sea levels?
Rising sea levels - how the Netherlands found ways of working with the environment

Rising sea levels in the Netherlands: the Dutch battle against flooding

How Is the Netherlands Preparing for Sea Level Rise?

As sea levels rise, how long until the Netherlands is under water?

B Block Legal Studies - Today, we'll watch the Law & Order episode "True North", and have a discussion about the issues around it. In 1976, the majority of the House of Commons voted to abolish capital punishment for all offenses under its Criminal Code. This anti-death penalty sentiment was later reiterated and reinforced in a 1987 House of Commons vote, when the reinstitution of capital punishment was again met with stern disapproval.

The cases of Atif Rafay and Sebastien Burns ended up making new extradition law in death penalty cases. The two Canadians were charged with the 1995 murders of Rafay's parents and sister in Washington state. They fled to Canada and Washington State subsequently asked for their extradition. The Canadian justice minister said he was not bound to automatically seek assurances that they would not face execution. "If the general rule was that Canadians were never to be returned to face the death penalty in the United States, the result would be unsatisfactory," said a release from the justice department. "Canadian suspects who managed to return to Canada before arrest would gain an advantage, since they would never be extradited without assurances." But on reviewing this case in 2001, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the minister of justice is constitutionally required to seek assurances that the death penalty will not be imposed in all but "exceptional" cases. The court did not spell out what it meant by "exceptional."

From the legal analysis of our Charter

Where individuals are affected by a Canadian or foreign government action that took place outside Canada, the extent to which they may rely upon section 7 will depend on the circumstances, and may require the claimant to establish Canadian government “participation in activities of a foreign state or its agents that are contrary to Canada’s international obligations or fundamental human rights norms” 

In extradition and deportation cases, where the government’s participation is a necessary precondition for the deprivation of the rights to life, liberty or security of the person by another state, and the deprivation is an entirely foreseeable consequence of the participation, deportations or extraditions must accord with the principles of fundamental justice (United States v. Burns, 2001)

So, the decision of United States of America v. Burns and Rafay, 2001 SCC 7 specifically states (the Supreme Court of Canada ruled) that people cannot be extradited to face the death penalty abroad, unless the country requesting them agrees to keep death off the table. 

I'll have you work on your questions from yesterday:

• 1-3 on page 54;
• 1, 2 and 5 on page 56; and
• 1 on page 60  

A Block Criminology - Since we didn't get to it yesterday, we'll talk about victims of crime. Every day we have specific routines we engage in. Many of these routines are tailored to preventing us from becoming victims of crime. We do things like lock our doors, watch where we walk at night, or avoid walking alone. We take these actions because at some level we are afraid of the possibility of being a victim of crime. Despite taking these actions people often fall prey to crime in Canada. So what do we know about victimization?

1. Women were at higher risk than men of being victims of a violent crime
2. Age was the key risk factor in violent victimization
3. Drug use, binge drinking and the frequency of evening activities were associated with the risk of violent victimization
4. Mental health was associated with the risk of violent victimization
5. People who suffered child maltreatment were more likely to be victims of a violent crime
6. People with a history of homelessness were more likely to report being a victim of a violent crime
7. The risk of violent victimization was higher among people residing in a neighbourhood with low social cohesion
8. Aboriginal people, in particular women, were more likely to be victims
9. One-quarter of violent incidents took place at the victim’s place of work
10. The majority of offenders were male and, on average, in their early thirties
11. Most victims knew their attacker
12. Most violent incidents did not involve weapons and did not result in physical injury
13. Low social cohesion was associated with a higher risk of household victimization
14. Households residing in apartments or condos were less likely to be victimized by household crime
15. The size of the household was linked to the risk of victimization
16. One incident in five resulted in losses of $1,000 or more
17. Most incidents of victimization did not come to the attention of the police

we will focus on the impact that crime has on victims. We'll try to examine the impacts of crime on victims (both short and long term)

I'll go over some notes with you on this and we'll try to understand how violence and violent crime (out next topic in the course) is a traumatic event that impacts human lives. I'd like you to read through the "Nature of Victimization" on pages 53-5 and 57-58  and "Theories of Victimization" dealing with Victim Precipitation, Lifestyle, and Routine Activities on pages 59-62 in the CRIM text. After discussing these sections your job will be to complete the following:

1. Briefly outline and explain the patterns we've identified in victimization (social ecology, household, personal characteristics and repeat victimization)
2. Explain and compare the three theories of crime victimization. 

Criminal victimization in Canada, 2019 (from The 2019 General Social Survey GSS on Canadians’ Safety - Victimization) 

Today's Fit...