Law Reform and Social Change PG (11470.2)

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.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Evaluate and explain law reform theories, processes, practices, and institutions in a social and historical context using case studies;
2. Apply the skills of analysis, communication, and cultural competency required to engage in law reform processes; and
3. Communicate original research, analysis and argument in relation to current law reform issues.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
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

Prerequisites

11751 Legal Methods and Skills G AND 11752 Legal Systems G

Corequisites

This unit is only available to students in the Juris Doctor and Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies courses.

Incompatible units

11257 Law and Society

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.