MLJ712 - Family Law and Policy

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 1: Online
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Michele Tucker
Cohort rule:This unit is only available to students enrolled in M729
Prerequisite:

MLJ701

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: Nil
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

Online independent and asynchronous collaborative learning up to a maximum of 2 hours each week which includes weekly recorded and 1 x 1 hour online seminar (recordings provided) each week 

Content

This unit aims to equip students with the knowledge and ability to apply, critically evaluate and effectively communicate family law, and develop a deep appreciation of major policy issues and developments in the law.

Topics include: the Family Law Act 1975, historical and jurisdictional developments in family law, marriage, divorce and nullity, children’s matters and parental responsibility, property division, spousal maintenance and family violence.
ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1

Critically analyse and discuss the modern family, including both de jure and de facto/domestic relationships, taking into account sociological and legal factors that affect the family and its formation. 

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO2

Discuss, analyse and explore the Jurisdictional and constitutional aspects of family law along with the significant policy debates and theoretical perspectives.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking
ULO3

Identify, analyse and apply the law as it relates to the breakdown of de jure and de facto/domestic relationship, and the methods for resolving these disputes.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO5: Problem solving
ULO4

Identify, apply, and critically analyse domestic and international law concerning parental responsibility, the best interests of children, and children's rights. 

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
ULO5

Critically evaluate issues of family violence and the relevance it has on both process and substantive law in respect of parenting and financial disputes.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week

Assessment 1: (Individual) Report (Client)

2000 words 40% Week 6
Assessment 2: (Individual) Report (Client)

 

3000 words 

 

60% Week 11

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: MLJ712 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

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