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LAWS13-115: Contemporary Issues in Law and Society

Description

Contemporary Issues in Law and Society is an undergraduate elective subject offered by the Faculty of Law. This subject is not a technical law subject, instead it explores some of the social and contemporary challenges facing today’s lawmakers. Students are asked to critically consider and evaluate the different moral, legal and ethical perspectives of the issues presented through cross-disciplinary debate to solve contemporary problems.  Topics include: the role of law as a social system; the impact of science in an era of human cloning and designer babies; freedom of expression and media regulation; public shaming and private morality on the internet; artificial intelligence, robots and driverless cars; different global approaches to  sanctions and punishment; the effect of globalisation on cultural identity; and gender issues. How do morality, law, politics, science and economics intersect and interact when we try to solve problems or secure progress in society? The plan of topics may be varied if new controversial issues emerge during the course of the semester.

Subject details

Type: Undergraduate Subject
Code: LAWS13-115
EFTSL: 0.125
Faculty: Faculty of Law
Semesters offered:
  • January 2024 [Standard Offering]
  • May 2024 [Standard Offering]
  • September 2024 [Standard Offering]
Credit: 10
Study areas:
  • Law
  • Psychology, Criminology, and Social Sciences
Subject fees:
  • Commencing in 2023: $4,050.00
  • Commencing in 2024: $4,260.00
  • Commencing in 2025: $4,460.00
  • Commencing in 2023: $5,400.00
  • Commencing in 2024: $5,730.00
  • Commencing in 2025: $5,990.00

Learning outcomes

  1. Define their own set of ethical and moral principles through research, analytical thinking and reasoning which they can then carry forward to apply to any future life situation.
  2. Obtain a body of knowledge about and critical insight into many of the most topical issues of our time. This will enable them to contribute reasoned perspectives to the major debates on these issues positively and with confidence.
  3. Present material coherently and fluently and to debate the merits of problems with their peers.
  4. Present reasoned and researched arguments in logical, structured written form.

Enrolment requirements

Requisites:

Nil

Assumed knowledge:

Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.

Restrictions:

Subject dates

  • Standard Offering
    Enrolment opens: 12/11/2023
    Semester start: 15/01/2024
    Subject start: 15/01/2024
    Cancellation 1: 29/01/2024
    Cancellation 2: 05/02/2024
    Last enrolment: 28/01/2024
    Withdraw - Financial: 10/02/2024
    Withdraw - Academic: 02/03/2024
    Teaching census: 09/02/2024
  • Standard Offering
    Enrolment opens: 17/03/2024
    Semester start: 13/05/2024
    Subject start: 13/05/2024
    Cancellation 1: 27/05/2024
    Cancellation 2: 03/06/2024
    Last enrolment: 26/05/2024
    Withdraw - Financial: 08/06/2024
    Withdraw - Academic: 29/06/2024
    Teaching census: 07/06/2024
  • Standard Offering
    Enrolment opens: 14/07/2024
    Semester start: 09/09/2024
    Subject start: 09/09/2024
    Cancellation 1: 23/09/2024
    Cancellation 2: 30/09/2024
    Last enrolment: 22/09/2024
    Withdraw - Financial: 05/10/2024
    Withdraw - Academic: 26/10/2024
    Teaching census: 04/10/2024
Standard Offering
Enrolment opens: 12/11/2023
Semester start: 15/01/2024
Subject start: 15/01/2024
Cancellation 1: 29/01/2024
Cancellation 2: 05/02/2024
Last enrolment: 28/01/2024
Withdraw - Financial: 10/02/2024
Withdraw - Academic: 02/03/2024
Teaching census: 09/02/2024