Groups, Diversity and the Law

Subject 730-708 (2008)

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

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Summer Term, - 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


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 - 26 contact hours per subject.
Total Time Commitment: The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidate's background and experience.
Prerequisites: Prerequisites

Some familiarity with American society and government and some law school experience
Corequisites: N.A.
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: N.A.

Coordinator

Prof Peter Schuck
Subject Overview:

Objectives:

A candidate who has successfully completed the subject should:

  • Understand the various legal and political techniques by which the US manages a complex, diverse society
  • Be familiar with some of the most controversial aspects of contemporary American public law
  • Have a much more sophisticated understanding of the concept and ideal of diversity
  • Be able to debate many of the highly controversial issues that arise in a liberal, culturally diverse society
  • Gain a critical understanding of the strengths and limits of law in regulating social processes.

Syllabus:

Principal topics will include:

  • Thinking about diversity: Sharpening the concepts; history of the diversity ideal; value issues
  • Ethnic politics in the US: Blacks and Mexican-Americans
  • Immigration, affirmative action, associational rights
  • Religious and residential diversity, voting rights, social mobility
  • Managing diversity.
Assessment:
  • Class participation (10%)
  • Research paper 9,000 words (90%) (21 April) (topic approved by subject coordinator)
Prescribed Texts: Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.
Links to further information: 730-708Groups, Diversity and the LawMelbourne Law Masters, postgraduate law, post-graduate law, graduate law2008

Objectives:

A candidate who has successfully completed the subject should:

  • Understand the various legal and political techniques by which the US manages a complex, diverse society
  • Be familiar with some of the most controversial aspects of contemporary American public law
  • Have a much more sophisticated understanding of the concept and ideal of diversity
  • Be able to debate many of the highly controversial issues that arise in a liberal, culturally diverse society
  • Gain a critical understanding of the strengths and limits of law in regulating social processes.

Syllabus:

Principal topics will include:

  • Thinking about diversity: Sharpening the concepts; history of the diversity ideal; value issues
  • Ethnic politics in the US: Blacks and Mexican-Americans
  • Immigration, affirmative action, associational rights
  • Religious and residential diversity, voting rights, social mobility
  • Managing diversity.
  • Class participation (10%)
  • Research paper 9,000 words (90%) (21 April) (topic approved by subject coordinator)
Prerequisites

Some familiarity with American society and government and some law school experience

N.A.24 - 26 contact hours per subject.Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidate's background and experience.N.A.Please see the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website for up to date timetable information.Prof Peter SchuckLawFor the latest information on this subject, please visit: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/subject/730708P12.500SummerNLawLaw730-708

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