Law in Society

Subject SOLS10001 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 1 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 29-Feb-2016 to 29-May-2016
Assessment Period End 24-Jun-2016
Last date to Self-Enrol 11-Mar-2016
Census Date 31-Mar-2016
Last date to Withdraw without fail 06-May-2016


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 35 Contact Hours: 2 x one hour lectures and 1 x one hour tutorial per week for 12 weeks. No tutorials in Week 1.
Total Time Commitment:

Total of 170 hours

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Ms Claire Loughnan

Contact

clairebl@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

Law in Society introduces students to theories, concepts, forms and practices of law in contemporary Australian society. It will provide a foundation both for socio-legal studies subjects in later years and for subjects in disciplines such as politics, criminology and law. In preparing students to engage critically with law, the subject looks at the ways that "harm" is constructed as a legal category. It encourages students to ask who is able to name something as either harmful, or not worthy of state intervention, and how this capacity to name effects socio-political relations. To develop this analysis, the subject discusses the norms that underpin the capacity to name particular practices as harmful, and engages critically with certain historical and current harms. Examples of such harms might include treachery, riot and disorder, terrorism, payback, the Northern Territory Emergency Response, torture, sado-masochistic sex acts, or female circumcision.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this subject students should:

  • Identify the major sociological perspectives and understandings of law in contemporary Australia society;
  • Use and understand key concepts and terms within sociological explanations of law in society;
  • Communicate sociological knowledge related to law in society effectively in written formats;
  • Have a foundation for later-year subjects in disciplines such as sociology, politics, criminology, legal studies and law.

Assessment:
  • A written exercise of 500 words (10%) due early in the semester.
  • An essay of 2000 words (50%) due mid-semester.
  • A 1500 word take-home exam (40%) due during the examination period.

Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject. Regular participation in tutorials is required.

Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available.

Breadth Options:

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

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
Notes:

Available as a Breadth subject to non-Bachelor of Arts students.

Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Criminology
Criminology Major
Graduate Certificate in Arts - Criminology
Graduate Certificate in Arts - Sociology
Graduate Diploma in Arts - Criminology
Graduate Diploma in Arts - Sociology
Law and Justice
Sociology
Related Breadth Track(s): Sociology
Criminology

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