Course Title: Family, Society and the Law

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Family, Society and the Law

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

SOCU2271

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2015,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 2 2023

Course Coordinator: Binoy Kampmark

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2174

Course Coordinator Email: binoy.kampmark@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 37.4

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course provides a socio-legal exploration of some of the issues relating to families in Australia. Through a critique of the law, you will study the ways the state operates to regulate, maintain and control the notion of family. You will learn about the historical and cultural context of family law in Australia, including the changing nature of the family and the ways that the law has dealt with that change. The course includes concepts of children’s rights (including the issue of child abuse) and parental responsibility, financial issues relating to separation and divorce, and dispute resolution options. You will also consider international aspects of family law, including international child abduction, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes
In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:

  • Use strategic, critical, creative, and analytical thinking to develop creative solutions to a range of dynamic problems associated with crime management and the justice system
  • Critically analyse, synthesise and reflect on advanced theories, principles, philosophies in the justice sector, both locally and globally, to extend and challenge knowledge and practice
  • Use appropriate ethical ideas and reflective practice skills in addressing situations and problems in justice settings demonstrating cultural, social and environmental sensitivity


Course Learning Outcomes 

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Explain and critique the field of socio-legal knowledge relating to families and child abuse and the use of alternative dispute resolution options in this area
  2. Appraise gender, culture and indigenous issues relating to family law and child abuse
  3. Critically examine ethical dilemmas that present in this area
  4. Demonstrate problem-solving and legal research skills in applying your knowledge to real world problems. 


Overview of Learning Activities

This course is generally delivered in a face-to-face mode with a blend of learning activities, which include interactive workshop activities, role plays, problem solving, guest speakers, presentations, videos, online media and activities and student led discussions. The course may be delivered online in modules. 


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. You will have the opportunity to contribute collectively to class resources by sharing your own research findings and sources with your peers. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal. 


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. 

Assessment Tasks 

Assessment Task 1: Essay,  50%, CLO2- CLO5 

Assessment Task 2: Essay, 50%, CLO1, CLO4  and CLO5 

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.