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. 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 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

11235 Introduction to Politics and Government OR 11251 Foundations of Law and Justice OR 11257 Law and Society OR 11378 Introduction to Public Policy

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

11470 Law Reform and Social Change PG

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.