The Legal Context of Human Services

Subject 196-213 (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 2, - 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

On campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1.5-hour lecture and a 1.5-hour seminar per week from 12 September to 29 November.
Total Time Commitment: Students are expected to devote approximately 8 hours per week to this subject.(30 contact hours, 25 hours class preparation and reading, 25 hours assessment related tasks. Total time commitment = 80 hours)
Prerequisites: Admission into the Bachelor of Social Work for BSW students or for Bachelor of Arts students, 37.5 points of second/third-year arts subjects.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's courses. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Course Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Coordinator

To be advised
Subject Overview:

This subject provides an overview of the Australian and Victorian legal systems and their components, and the values and principles upon which law is based. The subject does not attempt to cover all issues raised by a consideration of the law. However, it does explore the relationship between the law and the human services to develop students' understanding of the major legal structures that impinge on welfare practice and the values and attitudes which underpin those structures. The subject makes use of video resources to explore the giving of evidence to tribunals and courts of law; the ethics of practice; the Australian legal system; protection of human rights in Australia; the role of the state in income maintenance; family law; state intervention in the family; refugee rights and domestic violence.

Assessment: Assessment in this subject requires students to complete any two of the following four options each worth 50%: a written paper of 2000 words (due mid-semester), a written analytical paper following a court or tribunal visit totalling 2000 words (due mid-semester), a take-home examination (due at the end of semester), completion of a case study and submission of a report totalling 2000 words (due at the end of semester). A hurdle requirement of a minimum 75% attendance of seminars required.
Prescribed Texts: Students should check with the subject coordinator prior to purchase of texts as additional or alternative texts may be substituted for those listed below.In the Shadow of the Law 2nd edition (P A Swain), Federation Press 2002 The Law Handbook (Fitzroy Legal Service), 2005
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • have skills in reading and understanding policy documents and legislation;
  • be aware of competing interests that together shape such policies and documents;
  • be able to link theory and practice;
  • be able to demonstrate the capacity to organise issues and competing arguments into logical frameworks of presentation.
Links to further information: http://www.socialwork.unimelb.edu.au/
Notes:

Previously available as 196-011/420. Students who have completed 196-011 or 196-420 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. The subject dates and HECS/course fee census date for this subject change each year. Check your enrolment record for the correct census date for this subject.

The disciplines of Nursing and Social Work are now co-managed within the Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences. At the time of publication Social Work subjects are under the administrative management of the School of Nursing.

Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts

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