Globalisation and the Law

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

This is a totally on-line subject delivered via the internet: there is no face-to-face contact between the lecturers and students. Prior to launch, students will be provided with materials on cd-rom and via the on-line subject page. University of Melbourne students will also be able to purchase Printed Materials from Melbourne Law School. The subject is divided into three parts: an introduction module, a case study section conducted via one or more role-plays, and a wrapping up module. These will be conducted via the internet using various resources, including textual, audio and video material. Students will be expected to read, watch or listen to these materials and to take part in role plays, on-line discussion and class activities. The lecturers will guide students in their on-line discussions and provide continuous assessment of their on-line activities.

None

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

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 programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject forms part of the U21 Global Issues, which is a undergraduate multidisciplinary concurrent Certificate and Diploma administered through the Faculty of Arts and taught by the University of Melbourne in conjunction with the Universities of British Columbia (Canada), Hong Kong (China), Nottingham (United Kingdom), Queensland (Australia), Lund (Sweden) and Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico). It is designed to give a global context to undergraduate degrees through online collaborative learning and student exchange. Since this subject will be delivered by lecturers located in the Melbourne University Law School it is also open to students enrolled in the LLB. The subject requires students to consider the changing role of law (both domestic and international) in the global economy and will use web-based technology to enact certain global processes, facilitating collaboration and comparative approaches across the globe. The subject combines various theoretical approaches with case studies that are learnt by means of role play scenarios depicting contemporary global flows. Each role play will take around four weeks and will include a critical consideration of the complex network of: finance, migration, trade, culture and means of contesting globalisation.

By the end of this subject, students should have acquired -

· Knowledge of contemporary theoretical principles necessary for understanding the underpinnings of contemporary global flows;

· An ability to evaluate and synthesise the literature relating to globalisation and its relationship to legal, environmental, economic, political and/or social change;

· An understanding of the interconnectedness between individuals, societies, organisations and nation states by encouraging students to consider the legal, cultural, environmental, economic and political dimensions of globalisation;

· Sensitivity to the impact of legal, cultural, environmental, economic and political flows around the world from a variety of theoretical and disciplinary perspectives;

· An appreciation of how changes in the nature and function of law are both constituted by, and themselves constitute theories of globalisation;

· An ability to engage in debate around issues of public interest in law and globalisation.

Online participation, which will last for the duration of the subject, will involve:

• ongoing collaborative tasks (equivalent to a written assignment of 2000 words): 50%
• a written assignment of 3000 words due after the online component of the subject has been completed: 50%

In addition there are two hurdle requirements which must be met in order to pass the subject:

• Participation in an orientation exercise designed to introduce students to the class and to the website and how to navigate it.
• All participation online must be non-offensive and non-vexatious.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of the subject students should have developed the following generic skills:

• capacity to understand and participate as an individual in collaborative multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams;
• use of simulations, interactive material, and technologies designed to enhance collaboration and team work;
• capacity for close reading and analysis of a range of primary and secondary texts;
• capacity for critical and independent thought and reflection;
• the capacity to communicate cross-culturally and across disciplines.