Law Reform and Social Change (11269.1)
Please note these are the 2025 details for this unit
| Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
|---|---|---|
| View teaching periods | On-Campus Flexible |
Bruce, Canberra |
| EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
| 0.125 | 3 | Faculty Of Business, Government & Law |
| Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
| Canberra Law School | Level 3 - Undergraduate Advanced Unit | Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905) Band 5 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) |
This unit provides students with an opportunity to explore the complex relationship between law reform and its political, social, economic and cultural contexts. Through the investigation of historical and contemporary, national and international examples, students will develop an understanding of law reform processes, their relationship to public policy and how law can both inhibit and enable social change. Students will apply their knowledge to civil and criminal law case studies to develop skills in research, analysis and argument and pursue current law reform issues.
1. Identify and explain law reform processes and their relationship to public policy using civil and criminal case studies;
2. Apply theories of law as a regulatory instrument to analyse law in relation to its political, social, economic and cultural contexts; and
3. Undertake research, analysis and argument in relation to current law reform issues.
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - use Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline
Learning outcomes
After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. Identify and explain law reform processes and their relationship to public policy using civil and criminal case studies;
2. Apply theories of law as a regulatory instrument to analyse law in relation to its political, social, economic and cultural contexts; and
3. Undertake research, analysis and argument in relation to current law reform issues.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - use Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline
Prerequisites
11235 Introduction to Politics and Government OR 11251 Foundations of Law and Justice OR 11257 Law and Society OR 11378 Introduction to Public PolicyCorequisites
None.Incompatible units
11470 Law Reform and Social Change PGEquivalent units
None.Assumed knowledge
None.
Availability for enrolment in 2025 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 29 July 2024 | On-Campus | Dr Shelley Bielefeld |
| 2025 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 28 July 2025 | On-Campus | Dr Shelley Bielefeld |
| 2025 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 28 July 2025 | Flexible | Dr Shelley Bielefeld |
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit
timetable.
Required texts
None. Materials will be provided on the unit Canvas site.
Participation requirements
None
Required IT skills
This unit involves online content using the Virtual Room in your UCLearn teaching site for pre-recorded lectures.
You will also be required to record a video presentation.
Work placement, internships or practicums
The main assessment item in this unit constitutes practical training in preparing and analysing a submission to an inquiry, which simulates a workplace task for various employment roles in civil society and government.
