Law in Society

Subject 191-110 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Undergraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

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Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Two 1-hour lectures and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: *
Prerequisites: *
Corequisites: *
Recommended Background Knowledge: *
Non Allowed Subjects: *
Core Participation Requirements: *

Coordinator

Dr J Balint
Subject Overview:

Law in Society introduces students to theories and concepts of law and practices of law in contemporary Australian society. It will also provide a foundation both for socio-legal studies subjects in later years and for later subjects in disciplines such as politics and criminology. The course is divided into five parts. 1. Law and multiculturalism examines how law takes cultural diversity into account, what the function of law is and can be in a multicultural society, looking at issues such as the criminalisation of female genital mutilation and the determining of 'reasonable' behaviour in a multicultural society. 2. Aboriginal law and Anglo-Australian law examines the inherent tensions as well as the relationship between these two bodies of law, looking at issues such as the incorporation of 'payback' into Anglo-Australian law. 3. Law's operation examines the jury, the judges, law's accessibility, the language of law and the culture of law. 4. Law and change examines social change and the reach of law, looking at issues such as how the law deals with sexual harassment, changes in technology, racial vilification, and genocide. 5. Alternatives to law examines Alternative Dispute Resolution and institutions such as the Koori Court.

Assessment: A written exercise of 500 words 10% (due early in the semester), an essay of 2000 words 40% (due during semester), and a take-home exam 50% (due at the end of semester).
Prescribed Texts: *
Recommended Texts:

Information Not Available
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

  • Bachelor of Biomedicine
  • Bachelor of Commerce
  • Bachelor of Environments
  • Bachelor of Music
  • Bachelor of Science
  • Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

  • have a capacity for independent critical thought and self-directed learning;

  • have cognitive, analytical and problem-solving skills;

  • understand complex concepts and express them lucidly;

  • have an awareness of cultural, ethnic and gender diversities and their implications;

  • have the ability to plan work and to use time effectively.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts
Diploma in Arts (Criminology)
Graduate Certificate in Arts (Australian Indigenous Studies)
Graduate Diploma in Arts (Australian Indigenous Studies)

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